A CONVOY of aid has left Durham City for the scene of the world's worst nuclear disaster.

Medical supplies, computer equipment and aid, donated by the public, is being sent to Chernobyl, in the former Soviet Union, to coincide with the 19th anniversary of the disaster.

Durham City Council has supplied the van, the GMB trade union is paying for the transport costs and insurance, while Durham University has donated computer equipment and the Freeman and General Hospitals in Newcastle has donated the medical supplies.

Councillor Fraser Reynolds, leader of Durham City Council, said: "At the start of that terrible day, 190 tons of toxic materials were expelled into the atmosphere over Chernobyl and continued to drop and spread for ten days.

"The effects of it will continue to be felt for generations to come, and the donation of this van is our joint effort to help the people there in some small way."

Terry Scarr, of the GMB, said: "There are babies born today still carrying the legacy of the disaster, with severe disabilities and who often end up in orphanages when families can't cope.

"We will be visiting two of their orphanages in Belarus with provisions and equipment and we are also visiting the Beslan School that was taken over by Chechen terrorists last year during a siege, and who killed 400 people, including 156 children."