THEY'VE come more than 12,000 miles on a mission to help the disadvantaged in their country and to bring a little bit of Belarus to the people of Winchester.

Two nuns, Tatiana and Magdalena, pictured, have spent over a week driving from their convent near Minsk to the city to take part in Winchester Cathedral's first Christmas market.

Yesterday, as the two women began setting up their stall next to the frozen ice rink also installed for the market, the pair spoke of their hope for what they could do with the money they earn.

Sister of Mercy Tatiana Zhedik said: "Our convent, the St Elizabeth's Convent, runs a charity to help care for people less fortunate than us, like the homeless and drug addicts.

"We have done a market already in France last year, and we saw the Winchester market and thought it might be a good opportunity for us to sell the products we make at the convent and raise money for our charity.

"We are trying to raise money to build a new home for those we support in Minsk, and so all the money we can raise here will make a really big difference to many lives back in Belarus."

All the products being sold have been hand-made by nuns, and include everything from woollen shawls to cakes and wooden decorations.

Meanwhile, a plea has gone out to find the nuns' helper Leonid a bed. Currently, to try and save money, Leonid - also pictured - is sleeping in the nuns' van.

Anyone who can offer assistance is asked to contact Stephanie Swann at Winchester Cathedral on 01962 857274.