FAMILY and friends will today attend a service held for a former Mayoress of Nottingham and devoted Salvation Army soldier who died last month.

Lilian Gapper, from Wollaton, who was wife to 1994's Mayor of Nottingham Vernon Gapper, died at the Queen's Medical Centre on Friday, May 23 aged 88.

During her time as Mayoress, Mrs Gapper attended more than 1,000 engagements with her husband, meeting illustrious public figures including Tony Blair, Ken Clarke and the Duchess of Kent. 

Her son, Kevin Gapper, 54, from Derby, recalled it was a duty she always treated with the utmost dignity.

 He said: "She relished every minute of the year in office and the memories remained with her. "We think she had great courage when she wore her Salvation Army uniform on a few of her duties. 

 "Their period in office was a very proud time for our family." Mrs Gapper was born Lilian Williams in Ystrad Mynach, South Wales on February 10, 1926 to father Stanley and mother Emma. 

 She was the youngest of five children but, sadly, all her three brothers died by the time she was seven. 

 She remained very close to her sister Eva throughout their life. Eva passed away in 1999, aged 78. 

 The Williams family moved to Senghenydd, also in South Wales, in the 1940s where she met future husband Vernon. 

 They were married in 1946 and the first two children, Sylvia and Vernon (Junior) were born in the town. They later moved to Pontllanfraith in 1948 where Myra, Kevin and Malcolm were born. 

 When Mr Gapper became a full-time union official in 1974, the family moved to Nottingham where they became Salvation Army soldiers at the William Booth Memorial corps.

 Son Kevin said his mother never lost sight of her roots when they moved to Nottingham. 

 He added: "She loved to attend the morning meeting at the Army but was happy to stay at home in the evening to watch her favourite television programme, Songs of Praise.  

"She especially loved it if it came from Wales, and woe betide you if you rang her while it was on.

"Your call would be a short one!" 

 Mrs Gapper adored her time as Mayoress and accompanied her husband on almost all of his engagements. 

 As well as chatting with notable local public figures she also took part in engagements overseas including one to Belarus where she met victims of the Chernobyl disaster. 

 Among her hobbies and interests, Mrs Gapper enjoyed cookery, fashion and shopping. 

 She was taken to hospital earlier this year following a heart attack. Her condition rapidly deteriorated over the coming months and she died in hospital surrounded by family. 

Her son, Vernon, 65, from Stapleford said she was a kind woman of principle and poise. 

 He added: "She was very proud of her Salvation Army principles and the importance of bringing up her children to love God

"She lived with a high morality and love of her Welsh heritage."

A service is being held today at Beeston cemetery followed by thanksgiving ceremony at the William Booth Memorial Hall.

NOTTINGHAM duo Jocelyn Rae and Daniel Smethurst have both been handed wild cards for this month's Wimbledon Championships. 

Rae, from Arnold, will compete in the ladies' doubles with partner and fellow Brit Anna Smith. 

The pair will head to SW19 in fine form, having won the Aegon Trophy last week. They are now chasing an unprecedented double at the Nottingham Tennis Centre, setting their sights on the Aegon Challenge. 

This will be Rae's fifth time at Wimbledon – the last coming in 2011, when she made the third round of the mixed doubles with Colin Fleming. 

For Smethurst, who is based in Nottingham and will take part in the men's singles, this summer will be his first taste of a Grand Slam event. 

He was awarded a wild card for the Aegon Trophy, though was eliminated at the first hurdle as he fell to Bulgarian Dimitar Kutrovsky. 

Also handed a wild card for Wimbledon is Marcos Baghdatis, who clinched the men's Aegon Trophy in Nottingham at the weekend.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE'S David Fletcher has been named in the Team England cycling squad for this summer's Commonwealth Games. 

The 25-year-old from Edwinstowe will compete in the men's mountain bike in Glasgow. 

Fletcher is part of a 31-strong squad of cyclists heading to Scotland, with Paul Oldham the only other representative in the men's mountain bike. 

Olympic champions Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell, Dani King, Ed Clancy, Steven Burke, Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes are amongst the riders also making up the squad and will compete in the track events, while Sir Bradley Wiggins will form part of the road team. 

Team England Chef de Mission Jan Paterson said: "This cycling team is undoubtedly the best we have ever seen selected for Team England.

"To have eight Olympic Champions line up alongside previous Commonwealth Games medallists and some supremely talented younger athletes is genuinely exciting for us. 

"Whether it's on the track, the road or at the mountain bike course, cycling fans are in for a treat when Team England are competing."

Technical Director Shane Sutton echoed those sentiments. "I believe we have selected a very strong team for this year's Commonwealth Games, and it's great that we have such a talented pool of English cyclists to select from," he said. 

"It's also promising to see some of our young academy riders, such as Danni Khan, also make selection for something as big as the Commonwealths. 

"I speak on behalf of all the team when I say we can't wait for the racing to begin in Glasgow." 

The full England team is made up of: 

Women's Track Endurance: Lizzie Armitstead, Dani King, Joanna Rowsell, Laura Trott. 

Men's Track Endurance: Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Jon Dibben, Andy Tennant. 

Women's Track Sprint: Dannielle Khan, Jess Varnish, Vicky Williamson. 

Men's Track Sprint: Matt Crampton, Kian Emadi, Philip Hindes, Jason Kenny. 

Para Cycling Tandem: Sophie Thornhill, Helen Scott (pilot). 

Women's Mountain Bike: Alice Barnes, Beth Crumpton, Annie Last. 

Men's Mountain Bike: David Fletcher, Paul Oldham. 

Women's Road: Lizzie Armitstead, Hannah Barnes, Lucy Garner, Dani King, Emma Pooley, Joanna Rowsell, Laura Trott. 

Men's Road: Stephen Cummings, Jon Dibben, Alex Dowsett, Tom, Ian Stannard, Andy Tennant, Scott Thwaites, Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Firefighters have been tackling a blaze at a disused warehouse in Bilborough since 10pm on Tuesday night. 

Eight fire engines from across Nottingham were called to the incident on Wigman Road at 10.10pm after the building, attached to a three storey office block, caught fire. 

The warehouse is already in the process of demolition.

Two appliances from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue were still in attendance at 7am on Wednesday and residents nearby were asked to stay in their homes with windows and doors closed. 

Roads in the area re-opened in time for rush hour and Nottingham City Transport said buses 28 and 35 were serving stops as normal. 

This morning the site was cordoned off from Wigman Road close to the junction with Hollington Road. Two fire engines, one police car and a Severn Trent Water vehicle were visible from the cordon. Large hoses were passing up the street towards the scene of the fire.

Betsey Begraft-Johnson, 37, who lives on Wigman Road said: "At about 10pm I smelt smoke but as I'd been baking earlier on I thought I'd left the oven on. Then I saw the blue flashing lights out of my window and fire engines pulling up. 

"There was loads of black smoke and about ten minutes later I started seeing flames. 

"I have a disabled daughter; there was  fire on this road a few years ago where we were evacuated so I was hoping this wouldn't happen again but when the police officer knocked on our door to let us know what was going on he just said to stay inside and keep our windows and doors closed."

Elaine Smith, 45, from Carlton, who works next to the warehouse added: "It's been closed down for a few years now.

"They have security up there so it makes you wonder what happened. 

"I had a text from my friend who is a a bus driver around midnight telling me it was all closed around my work. 

"Apparently it was a massive fire."

TOTTENHAM are the latest club to be linked with a move for Nottingham Forest's highly rated keeper Karl Darlow.

Liverpool and Chelsea are already reportedly monitoring the development of the 23-year-old.

Darlow flourished for the Reds last season, in his first full campaign as the club's number one.

And, as a young, British player, he could be a useful asset for clubs in Europe, as he has 'home grown' status.

Tottenham are the latest top flight club to be linked with the player, with new boss Mauricio Pochettino apparently keen to add a young keeper to his squad.

The former Southampton manager apparently hopes to land a player to challenge Hugo Lloris and Darlow is rumoured to be on their list of potential targets.

Forest will attempt to fend off any interest in one of their most prized assets - just as Spurs are themselves bracing themselves to reject any interest in Lloris, the France international.

With the financial backing of Kuwaiti chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi, Forest will be under no immediate financial pressure to cash in on Darlow or any of their other young stars.

Henri Lansbury has also been linked with Fulham and QPR this summer, while Jamaal Lascelles' development last season saw him find his way into the radar of several top flight clubs. 

But incoming boss Stuart Pearce will look to add to his squad this summer, rather than allowing any of his brightest talents to move on.

Residents from The Meadows have met with Nottinghamshire Police and crime commissioner to argue their case to keep their local police station open. 

Commissioner Paddy Tipping is consulting on police proposals to close a number of stations to the public across Nottingham as part of £12.7 million of savings needed in the next 12 months. 

But both The Meadows and Sneinton stations face full closure, with The Meadows station relocating to Riverside. 

Mr Tipping, accompanied by representatives from the force and the city council, met with 20 residents for an hour and a half on Tuesday to explain the proposals and take questions. 

 He was pleased with the meeting, saying it was "good-natured and good-humoured" but he also understood not everyone was on board. 

"I accept people don't want the station to close but I also know that they want bobbies, not buildings," he said. 

"While budgets are being cut, we are one of just five police forces who have hired extra officers – increasing by 100 in two years – and people understood that was important." 

 The proposal for The Meadows includes a community hub where the neighbourhood police team will be based and people can report local issues. 

Mr Tipping said: "We gave an assurance that if the police station closed it wouldn't be until the new community hub is set up. We will be talking to residents about it further to decide on the best location." 

Chris Brummitt, who works at The Meadows Partnership Trust, which hosted the meeting, said it was successful. 

She said: "It wasn't as well attended as we thought, with only 20 residents coming. But those 20 residents got a chance to put their points across, ask their questions, and get what I thought were honest and open answers. 

"People did question the logic of selling the building, but they were also reassured that the level of policing will not be affected, which is the main thing they were concerned about, and that there will be a police hub still within The Meadows." 

But some residents still had worries about the closure. 

Ramann Shukla, 56, lives off Robin Hood Way and attended the meeting. 

 He said: "I have had a very mixed reaction to the meeting. I understand the financial pressures the police are under and I think the new community hub is a really good idea. 

"But as a victim of burglary myself, I worry it might be a token gesture for the short term and, although they have said the new station will only be a 15-minute walk away, with my heart condition I would have to get a bus. 

 "I think there is still not 100 per cent confidence from residents in the plans." 

Mr Tipping explained that none of the proposals were firm plans yet and were ideas he had had presented by the police. 

The consultation will run until June 30 and Mr Tipping said he will report back soon after on his findings.

Three years after swapping court for compost a former property solicitor has taken centre stage at BBC Gardeners' World Live horticultural show. Jason Loh, of Cranford Gradens, will be displaying his silver medal award-winning show garden, The Journey, at the NEC Birmingham this weekend. Growing up in Singapore, the West Bridgford garden designer said he had little opportunity to develop an interest in plants and landscaping. Mr Loh said: "There isn't much land in Singapore - even my parents were surprised that I chose to go into this career. "My dad came over to visit when I bought my house in West Bridgford and he saw the garden which I had redesigned. "Our relationship grew a lot closer because of it and I started to see the aspect of gardening which brings people together." A property lawyer for 10 years, Mr Loh turned his hand to garden design after being made redundant in 2008. He said: "I wanted to get into something that stirred my heart and I liked the idea of seeing the results of my work and making people happy." He was inspired to design The Journey garden after a year of "significant lows and inspirational highs." "It has been a really eventful season," said Mr Loh. "A year ago my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary and my mum was suffering from cancer, but she has since had an operation and been given the all clear. "There was a death in my family and in the same year I ended up meeting Charlotte and getting engaged - so there has been a lot going on. "I've been a Christian for 18 or 19 years and I wanted to create a space where people can think about where they have been and where they are going." Mr Loh first submitted the design around Christmas time last year and was one of 15 gardens to be selected to appear at the show which takes place from June 12 to 15. However, funding for the project proved difficult to source and Mr Loh had to launch a campaign on social media to raise the money to build the garden. Through the internet, door knocking and donations he managed to raise the £20,000 needed to fund The Journey. The garden is the designer's first feature at BBC Gardeners' World Live having previously won Premier Gold and Silver Gilt at the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show in 2012. Fiancée and doctor Miss Harrison, 35, told the Post she could not be prouder of her husband-to-be. The loved-up pair who met at a Christian Centre last June are planning to marry next month on July 5. She said: "I've seen many different sides of Jason during this project - he has been hardworking and patient. "The last three or four weeks have been really full on and it has been a bit of a rollercoaster with the sponsorship but we are both really excited, both about the show and getting married." Have you embarked on a new career? Get in touch:newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

TRAM experts have said the network could be linked beyond Nottinghamshire, as support for the project continues to grow.

 The claims were made during the first day of the ninth annual UK Light Rail Conference, held at Nottingham's Conference Centre. 

 The event, which continues until tomorrow, welcomes than 80 exhibitors and speakers to the city to discuss tram and light transport projects across the country. 

 Among the keynote speakers at the two-day event were Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood, city Portfolio Holder for Planning and Tramlink chairman Roger Harrison. 

 Mr Harrison said the choice to host the conference in the city demonstrated the confidence there was, not only in the current tram project, but in plans to expand it further afield. 

He said: "Nottingham was the first project in the country to have genuine social objectives, working with local partnerships to create new apprenticeships.

 "It's an interesting project where they're trying to build the British economy. 

 "There's lots of interest from business, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce are very supportive that the tram needs to continue, it shouldn't stop with phase two, it could be built further north or north-east. 

 "Basically we want to open up where it should go next."

 Across the two days, the conference invitees discussed a number of issues related to the tram including development, financing and its links with the HS2 project. 

 Nottingham was picked this year to host the conference over Manchester which has hosted the event for the past three years.

Organiser Simon Johnston said the Phase 2 development had generated considerable interest nationwide and now other cities were looking to learn from its example. 

He said: "The UK Rail industry at the moment is seeing an expansion in growth with projects in Nottingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

 "We think it's important to carry on the momentum. 

 "Local authorities across the UK and Europe are trying to learn from some of the lessons where we've performed well." 

"That's what people want to come away from the event with and some of those lessons have come from Nottingham." 

 Chris Deas, NET phase 2 project director said they will be working closely with business and members of the public. 

 He said: "Nottingham has been identified as a major regional infrastructure project and there's a lot of interest around it. 

 "The Light Rail Conference will touch on where we go next for Nottingham; there are some discussions to talk about where will bring it next and clearly there's an opening discussion with government about how we link it with HS2.

 "The expansion of the tram network is part of a dialogue between the public and private sector over the next few years to decide what is best for Nottingham." 

 Do you feel strongly about the tram where you live? Email newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

Gun shot wounds caused the deaths of a couple found last year buried in a makeshift grave under their lawn, a pathologist told the trial of their daughter and son-in-law accused of their murder.

Doctor Stuart Hamilton described to a jury how he came to determine the cause of death from the decomposed skeletal remains of William and Patricia Wycherley. 

The couple were discovered dead by police last October, lying one on top of the other in the ground, 15 years after they were killed.

 Susan Edwards, 55, and her husband, Christopher Edwards, 57, deny their murder between May 1 and 5, 1998.

 Dr Hamilton, a Home Office pathologist, told their trial on June 11 how Mr Wycherley's spine had a groove to part of the thoracic vertebrae and there was a scalloped defect on the inner surface of his right pelvic bone. 

Two bullets were recovered from his duvet-wrapped remains in the area around the lower chest and tummy.

 In Dr Hamilton's opinion the rounds had entered from the front, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

 "Particularly in respect of the pelvis from the front," said Dr Hamilton. 

 "There was damage to the front without corresponding damage to the back."

Mrs Wycherley had a bullet lodged in her spine, a round that would have travelled through her aorta, the largest artery in the body, and her cause of death was also gun shot wounds. 

The Edwards are alleged to have planned what happened and concocted a story to explain evidence surrounding the deaths.

 Mrs Edwards, 55, has admitted the manslaughter of her mother – on the basis that she was provoked.

 But her plea has not been accepted by the prosecution. 

The deaths of the Wycherley's, who lived at Blenheim Close, forest Town, from 1987 to their murder, emerged after Mr Edwards' stepmother called police.

She revealed to detectives how she had been told by her stepson that he had helped his wife bury her parents. 

The debt-laden couple – who owed £160,000 to creditors – were in France at the time but had allegedly run out of money. They were arrested on their return to the UK on October 30 last year. 

The trial continues

For all the latest news on the Wycherley trial, click here

The Vice Mayor of Chinese province Ningbo said he expects Nottingham to see great economic benefits from its relationship with his home.

As reported in the Post yesterday, Nottingham already reaps the rewards of £100m from the city on an annual basis. 

As officials met yesterday for the naming ceremony of the "Ningbo Friendship Bridge" near Nottingham University, the foreign delegates said this figure will continue to rise. 

 The newly built bridge, which arcs over the A52 connecting the city to the university via the tram network.

 Officials from China including the city's Vice Mayor met with the Lord Mayor of Nottingham and city council leaders at the ceremony in Science Road, on the University of Nottingham campus. 

 Vice-mayor of Ningbo, Mr Zhang Minghua, said the business relationships was set to grow significantly. 

 He said: "Although this is my first time in Nottingham, the city is not new to me, because in Ningbo, Nottingham is already a household name.

 "Our relationship is expanding our co-operation from education into the broader area of science and technology, trade and economic development. 

"Naming this bridge the Ningbo Friendship Bridge shows that this relationship will continue to develop on both sides, and we very much value our increasingly close links with Nottingham City Council." 

 The relationship between the two cities has strengthened over the past ten years, since the University of Nottingham opened its campus in Ningbo. 

 Chinese students who come to Nottingham are thought to spend £37 million every year here with an estimated £80 million in fees from Chinese students and through business partnerships.

Nottingham City Council Leader Councillor Jon Collins, said they were keen to evolve this further.

 He said: "This is a relatively small gesture but it's important in building the kind of the relationship that we want in a very important community. 

 "This is part of that relationship, it's about building trust and confidence. 

 "We have a trade delegation coming from Ningbo in October with the prospect of building some serious investment. 

 "That's the reason why we're trying to build this relationship." 

 Mr Collins added that Nottingham's early embrace of the expanding Chinese markets would benefit the city in the same way it has already been seen in London. 

 He added: "People with money in China know London, they've heard of London, they have experience of London. 

 "We need to build on that knowledge, that familiarity in Nottingham to encourage the kind of investment London sees." 

 Nottingham Express Transit phase 2 project director Chris Deas said they were happy to use the expansion of the tram to help forge the relationship.

 He said: "It's important that we recognise that we have links outside of Nottingham, for many reason reasons and connectivity is an important part of that. "This is a sensible development."

MORE than 600 firefighters are expected to strike in Nottinghamshire on Thursday in an ongoing row with the government over pensions. 

Ninety-seven per cent of the county's 800 firefighters are part of the Fire Brigade Union (FBU), and with the organisation saying 87% voting in favour of striking, hundreds could be on the picket lines. 

It is the first 24 hour strike of the dispute, following several shorter actions taken by the in the past three years across the UK. 

The main concern is the increase to the normal pension age of 55 to 60, which FBU members claim could put jobs at risk. 

They said by increasing the normal pension age, older members will be at a higher risk of dismissal on the grounds of failing fitness tests. 

Firefighters are also angry that the consultation into the new proposals by the Department for Communities and Local Government has failed to publish alternative plans that the union claims it has had since March. 

Sean McCallum, chair of the Nottinghamshire branch of the FBU, said the fact firefighters were striking showed the gravity of the situation. 

He said: "The point of a 24 hour strike is to flush out all of this information from the department. I have no idea why they would publish a consultation without all the full information. It challenges the credibility. 

"Firefighters have families in the community, they are part of that community, so they will be leaving them without fire services as well. No-one wants to strike but it is the only option left to us." 

There are 24 fire stations across the county with 800 firefighters - 97% of which belong to the FBU. Mr McCallum said there was an 87% vote in favour of the strikes. 

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue would not say how many stations would be operating but reiterated its plea for people to take extra precautions for their own safety during the strike. 

A spokeswoman from the service said: "We want to reassure the public that we will be answering 999 calls and there will be firefighters operating, but this number will be greatly reduce so we urge people to take extra care for their own safety whilst the strike is on." 

The chief fire officer for the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue, John Buckley, added: "The Service will respond to incidents with trained firefighters using recognised fire and rescue equipment but, with the level of operational cover significantly lower than usual, it may take longer for crews to get there. 

"I would therefore urge people to take extra care, either while at home, at work, or when out and about visiting family and friends. Naturally we would prefer to prevent incidents from occurring whenever possible but, if they do, we will respond." 

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government last week said "the FBU has once again shown the country it is not serious about finding a resolution" by striking and said the action would "damage firefighters' standing with the public." 

 The strike will begin at 9am and carry on until 9am on Friday. 

FIREFIGHTERS spent all night tackling a blaze at a disused warehouse in Bilborough that authorities think may have been started deliberately.

Eight fire engines from across Nottingham were called to the incident in Wigman Road at 10.10pm on Tuesday night after the building, attached to a three-storey office block, caught fire.

The warehouse is already being demolished.

Two appliances from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue – one from Stockhill and one from Central – were still in attendance yesterday and residents nearby were asked to stay in their homes with windows and doors closed.

Station manager David Stevenson said: "Two fire engines have been at the site most of today damping down, and the building has now been handed over to the reclaim company.

"We have been working closely with them throughout the day to increase security on site and to monitor any 'hot spots' of smouldering material that we have so far been unable to reach because of the structure of the building and associated rubble."

But a question mark hangs over what caused the fire.

Mr Stevenson said: "An investigation into the cause of the fire has been hampered somewhat by the building not being structurally safe to enter, but from what we have seen there appears to be nothing to suggest that the fire was accidental.

"We can, therefore, only assume the fire may have been started deliberately, although this is inconclusive."

The site was cordoned off from Wigman Road close to the junction with Hollington Road.

Betsey Begraft-Johnson, 37, who lives in Wigman Road, said: "At about 10pm, I smelled smoke but as I'd been baking earlier on, I thought I'd left the oven on. Then I saw the blue flashing lights out of my window and fire engines pulling up.

"There was loads of black smoke and about ten minutes later I started seeing flames.

"I have a disabled daughter. There was fire on this road a few years ago when we were evacuated, so I was hoping this wouldn't happen again, but when the police officer knocked on our door to let us know what was going on, he just said to stay inside and keep our windows and doors closed."

Elaine Smith, 45, of Carlton, who works next to the warehouse, added: "It's been closed down for a few years now. They have security up there, so it makes you wonder what happened.

"I had a text from my friend who is a bus driver around midnight telling me it was all closed around my work. Apparently it was a massive fire."

Did you see the fire? Let us know at newsdesk@nottinghampost.com.

AIRCRAFT enthusiasts are preparing to welcome the world's biggest plane to East Midlands Airport.

Antonov-225, the world's biggest aircraft, is due to touchdown tonight.

The Ukrainian-built plane will land at around 6pm and stay overnight before taking off again at around 10am on Friday.

And plane lovers across the county have spoken of their excitement ahead of the landing - with hundreds taking to the Post's Twitter and Facebook pages to discuss the exciting event.

On Facebook, Kierum Bailey said: "Can't wait I'm so excited. I'll be plane spotting and getting some good snaps."

Lee Fallows said: "Superb bit of Russian engineering, far better than any British aircraft ever built."

Maggie Miller added: "Wow what a monster. Can that really fly. It's colossal. Wow wow wow."

The plane is powered by six engines and is the longest and heaviest plane ever built with a maximum take-off weight of 640 tonnes. 

 It also has the largest wingspan of any aircraft currently in service. 

 A 189-tonne generator for a gas power plant in Armenia was transported on an Antonov-225 in 2009, and in June 2010 it carried the world's longest piece of air cargo when it flew two new 42-metre test wind turbine blades from China to Denmark. 

 The craft has only visited East Midlands Airport six times.

Anyone who would like to see the plane land can go to Aeroparks at the airport for a good view. It will be open from 5pm until 6.30pm is free for children under 5 and £3 for adults. Car parking is free all and all money goes back into the Aeroparks exhibitions.

Youngsters from Belarus whose lives have been affected by the Chernobyl disaster have been given a warm welcome to Hucknall. 

The group of thirteen children, aged between seven and eight, have come to stay with local host families for four weeks. 

Their trip has been made possible by Hucknall's Friends of the Chernobyl Children's charity, which has been reaching out to youngsters affected by the Chernobyl disaster for the past 16 years. 

The impact of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station disaster in 1986 was 96 times greater than the Hiroshima atomic bomb and its effects are still being felt in the region today.

 Fundraising co-ordinator Kim Challand said: "Landing in England at the height of summer these lovely young people can look forwards to having the time of their lives during their one month's stay.

 "So much has been planned for them and as our "special guests" there will be golden opportunities for them to take part in a packed programme of activities and events which will enrich their lives.

 "The most important thing is that we are getting them away from Belarus and away from the radiation. It is not 100 per cent proven but since the start of this project the life expectancy of the children has increased by two years for every month they spend with us." 

During their stay, the children will be educated at Hucknall's National Primary School, pay visits to opticians for eye tests and to doctors and dentists for health checks. 

As well as weekly outings to places such as Clumber Park, Burntstump Country Park and Centre Parcs, the group will also enjoy swimming lessons at Hucknall Leisure Centre, horse riding and sporting activities.

Branch chairman David Palmer said: "It is the first time that this particular group of children will enjoy the benefits of our hospitality and it is hoped that they will come to us for at least another five years. 

"Kim has played a big part in raising the £14,000 needed to meet the costs of the visit and the support for her fund-raising events has been phenomenal. Local people have dug deep to help our cause supporting initiatives such as a race night, breakfast brunch, a golf day, skittles challenge, and raffles and prize draws."

Hucknall resident Barbara Palmer, who attended the welcome party, said: "going the extra mile to bring sunshine into the lives of the young Chernobyl children". 

She added: "We visited Belarus last year and it was certainly a real eye-opener for us. The families are very poor but they have dignity and are very proud at what they do in very difficult circumstances."

Special needs teacher Gemma Devine and her partner Carl Nightingale, a local builder, said: " My mother Esther was a Chernobyl host when I was a teenager and I am proud to say that years later I am following in her footsteps." 

Anyone interested in becoming a Chernobyl host or would like to support the charity with a donation, should contact Kim Challand on 0115 9639434.