Children from the Ukraine enjoyed a music-making day, thanks to a collaboration between two local charities.

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra joined forces with Wessex Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline through the orchestra’s Participate programme for the event, part of the BSO’s Blast project, which delivers workshops across the region for five to 18-year-olds.

The 17 children from the Ukraine are from the town of Korosten, just 12 miles outside the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a region which was badly affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster.

The country is again surrounded by controversy following the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crash last week, which killed all 298 people on board.

Western nations say there is growing evidence the passenger jet was hit by a Russian-supplied missile fired by rebels, but Russia has suggested Ukrainian government forces are to blame.

The visiting youngsters are currently enjoying a four-week calendar of activities as part of their recuperative break organised by the Wessex CCLL.

They also receive dental and sight check-ups, enjoy the fresh air and improve their English during the trip, which has been proven to extend their life expectancy by up to five years, by allowing their vital organs to rid themselves of toxins from the radiation they are exposed to.

Andy Baker, BSO community musician, said: “The BSO has been collaborating with the Wessex Link branch of CCLL for the past three years. We have worked with over 50 children who have been affected by the Chernobyl disaster holding inspirational music-making days and inviting them to experience our school concert at Lighthouse.”