HE had a gun put to his chest in Pakistan and was shot at by militants in Afghanistan.

But now freelance documentary photographer Laurence Squire is helping to give underprivileged children from the Ukraine a chance to visit Gwent.

Mr Squire, 37, from Llanover has photographed for UNICEF, the Red Cross and all the major UK newspapers.

He was part of the first convoy of journalists travelling over the Khyber Pass from Pakistan into Afghanistan following the US-led invasion in 2001.

This was shot at by militants after reporters were warned that the Taliban would kill anyone who crossed the border.

Two weeks later, after he had left unscathed, the same convoy was ambushed an a photographer was killed.

In an incident in Peshawar, Pakistan, a machine gun was put to his chest by a soldier after he photographed Afghan refugees.

But while his conflict images have appeared in national magazines and newspapers, it was his first foreign assignment with Camps for Children of Chernobyl (CforCC) which left him most touched.

This was the spur for his voluntarily work with the Hereford-based organisation which offers support to people of the area which is still badly affected after a nuclear reactor accident in 1986.

It is hoping to bring youngsters over to Gwent for a break this summer.

He said: "In 1999 I photographed in a hospital at a respite centre in a place near Chernobyl called Chernigov.

The children there were amazing and since then I've helped all I can.

"It receives no funding, but through donations helps to bring children to the UK for holidays.

This gives their parents a break, but crucially through receiving medical attention when here, it can add three to five years on to their lives."

Last year the organisation brought over around 30 children who enjoyed a day on the Monmouthshire to Brecon Canal courtesy of the Goytre Wharf Boat Club and a barbecue at the Goose and Cuckoo pub, Upper Llanover.

This July, organiser Dave Chapfield is hoping to show them more of Gwent's sights.

He said: "We want to bring children to Abergavenny again.

"Gwent is such a beautiful area and has so much to offer and we are hoping to take them to the Big Pit in Blaenavon too."

If you would like to help with donations or itinerary suggestions in Gwent, call Mr Chapfield on 07813783555.