STAFF at a supermarket who were sent an unusual thank-you letter have turned to The Northern Echo to find out what is says.

The letter from Belarus was sent to the workers at Asda in Stockton after they took part in the Operation Shoebox appeal last year.

Staff collected more than 300 shoeboxes full of presents, children's clothes and sweets for youngsters in deprived countries.

Operation Shoebox then distributed the boxes to countries in need.

Staff at Asda thought no more about their donation until a letter arrived at the store from Belarus.

They thought it was a thank-you letter from the youngsters they helped, but because none of the staff could speak Russian they had no idea what it said.

Now, thanks to The Northern Echo and the Russian department at The University of Durham, they can finally understand what it says.

Staff member Carol Sigsworth said: "Just reading it brings a tear to my eye. It is lovely. It is very nice of everybody to help and I would like to say thank you.

"I think now we will keep in touch with the family and send them another letter back."

The letter says: Dear Carol and Thomas,

Best wishes from the Romanov family that want to say many thanks for your Christmas present. It came at the time we were in hospital with one of our children. We have a son, Denis, who is nine and a daughter Victoria, who is seven.

We have to take Victoria to hospital quite often as she suffers from a chronic liver disease. Your charity activities bring a lot of good to people in need.

We wish you a lot of health, happiness and well-being. We would gladly have a closer relationship with you if it is at all possible. Many thanks and best wishes from Raisa, Nikolay, Denis and Victoria.