TEN young children, many of them orphans, are enjoying an action-packed holiday in West Devon this month.

But these are no ordinary children. They come from Belarus, in an area still feeling the effects of the horrifying nuclear explosion at Chernobyl in April, 1986.

Up to 70% of the radioactive material released in the explosion settled on Belarus. The land remains contaminated — just living in such a toxic environment has long-term effects on general health and incidences of childhood cancers are high.

The youngsters are spending a month with host families, and last week enjoyed a walk on Dartmoor, to the ancient Wistman's Wood. Afterwards, they enjoyed a splendid afternoon tea at the Two Bridges Hotel.

The respite holiday is supported by the The Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jersualem.

The Rev Louis Baycock, former rector of Chagford and deputy chaplain general of the order, said: 'We have been supporting the respite holidays for about ten years, helping to pay for the children to come here.

'This year, one of our members suggested it would be nice to do something with the children, so here we are. They've been enjoying lovely fresh air and sunshine — I think they've enjoyed it very much.'

Barbara Baycock said: 'It's believed that by spending just one month away from Belarus a year, can give them two more years of good quality life. Everything out there is so contaminated.'

Philip Hutchens, branch treasurer, said: 'I think they found the openness of the moor quite surprising, but they loved it — they were told the tale of the Dartmoor hairy hands, and were identifying plants and animals.

'At the end of the day children are children, wherever they come from, and it's great to see them enjoying themselves.'

Anastasia, the children's interpreter, said her party were having a wonderful time in the area.

'It's a very, very busy time! Tomorrow we are going to Newquay, and the Eden project, we have been doing lots of activities, we went caravanning for three days — there is a lot to do but they are very much enjoying it,' she said.

Josie Bennett, of Warm Welcome Hotels, said Two Bridges was delighted to treat the children to a real English afternoon tea.

She said: 'At Two Bridges we used to be closed to non-residents but we do a lot of work with the local community now, of which we are a part.

'Welcoming the children here and working with local charities is very much a part of what we do.'