ONE of Oxfordshire’s major tourist attractions has come to the rescue of children let down by the Lapland New Forest fiasco.

Some of he youngsters are from Belarus and victims of the world’s worst nuclear plant disaster at Chernobyl, in Ukraine.

They are staying with families in the Swindon and Carterton areas.

Now the Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford, is giving them a free day out just two days before Christmas, to make up for their disappointment.

The Lapland theme park, near Ringwood, closed amid uproar about failing to deliver its promised attractions. Some of the angry customers came from Oxfordshire.

Managers at the wildlife park, hearing that the party of 43 children had been let down, have arranged a special Yuletide visit. They will meet Santa in his grotto, and take a ride with him on the park train.

They will also be given the chance to join in the feeding of the penguins and lemurs. Spokesman, Debbie Ryan, said: “We hope it will bring some Christmas magic to these brave children.”

Thirteen of the group are in England staying with host families through the charity Chernobyl Children’s Life Line on a month-long break. They have depleted immune systems and shortened life expectancy due to the nuclear fallout and genetic damage from the Chernobyl reactor meltdown in 1986.

The rest of the children are from families looking after them.

Michael Edmonds, the charity’s secretary, said they paid £775 for the Lapland tickets, and are waiting for a refund. He added: “We were all looking to a day out. The Cotswold Wildlife Park has kindly offered to save the day.”