Schoolchildren from a poverty-stricken former Soviet republic are getting their first taste of the seaside on a month-long visit to Sussex.

The pupils from a school in Belarus had never seen the sea before visiting Brighton.

But it is hoped the sea air and improved nutrition will improve levels of health among the youngsters, who are are staying with students from Brighton and Hove High School.

Some of the 11 girls have suffered from malnutrition and, following the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the Ukraine, were contaminated by radioactive fallout.

The girls, aged 11 to 15, had their first glimpse of the sea when they went paddling near the West Pier in Brighton.

Biology teacher Jenny Lyall said: "They had never seen anything like it before. They were shrieking with delight.

"They went in for a paddle and loved it. It's clear they are already enjoying themselves."

Dentists are a rare luxury in Belarus and all the girls will get a check-up during their stay.

Ms Lyall said: "We all went to a restaurant for lunch and none of them had ever seen pizzas or pasta. They even had to be helped with the bendy straws for the drinks.

"A few of them speak some English, so they can communicate quite well.

"It's also a very useful experience for our students to learn about the way of life in a different country."

The Belorussians, here with teacher Svetlana Popova, will spend mornings in school followed by outings in the afternoon.

The Chernobyl Children Lifeline is covering the cost of the return flights from Belarussia and Brighton and Hove High School parents have raised £800 for a field trip to Wales later this month.