CHILDREN living in Chernobyl, in the Ukraine, could soon be using computers given to them by Durham County Council.

The authority has donated 12 of its redundant terminals to schools in the Chernobyl area.

The region was part of the former Soviet Union when a nuclear reactor disaster devastated the area in 1986, when one of the Chernobyl plant's four reactors exploded during safety tests.

The council, the GMB union and local voluntary group Chernobyl North-East, are sending the computers to two schools near Minsk.

The computers will go on a convoy to the region early next year. The council is also providing one of the wagons.

Council cabinet member Councillor Brian Walker played a key role in getting the computers and said they would make a positive impact on the lives of the youngsters.

"They have very little in the way of teaching aids or IT equipment and so these computers will give them a better understanding of technology and enable them to link up to other schools around the world," he said.

"They will also be available for community use, which means the children will be able to learn with their parents.''

Union spokesman Terry Scarr said: "The GMB would like to thank Durham County Council for providing the computers and the lorry for transporting them. They will make a real difference to the people over there.

"The union has been organising these convoys for quite a few years now and we always get a fantastic welcome when we go there.''

Three lorries will head for Minsk in March with the computers, medical supplies for the local hospital and clothes for orphanages. They will be driven by volunteers.

Chernobyl North-East has provided help to children aged seven to 15 for eight years.

Children visit the region for breaks with local families and free health checks