DORCHESTER prison opened its doors - to admit children.
The youngsters are in this country on a holiday break from Belarus where children still suffer from the effects of the Chernobyl disaster of 1986.
And they enjoyed a party afternoon at Dorchester Prison - thanks to the inmates and staff who raised more than £320 with a 24-hour sponsored circuit-training session to pay for presents for the eight boys and eight girls.
The youngsters are staying in the Weymouth area for a month and PE senior officer John Phipps decided to throw a party to help make their visit memorable. He had been involved with the Chernobyl movement from his previous service at the prison ship HMS Weare and is continuing the link now he is at Dorchester.
The youngsters had fun with parachute games, face-painting and had a party tea.
And they also met the prison dogs and six of the prisoners who helped on the afternoon.
Mr Phipps said: "Everyone wanted to help. The prisoners were keen to do what they could for these children. They wanted to do something for others who are worse off than themselves."
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