A CHARITY which assists children from the impoverished former Soviet state of Belarus is appealing for help.

The Kings Langley branch of the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline is looking for families to host children from Belarus in September.

Each year a group of children from the country are sponsored to spend a month in south west Hertfordshire.

Sandra Cheshire, from the Kings Langley branch, said: "It is a chance for the children to enjoy fresh air and healthy food.

"When they arrive they are usually thin, pale and underweight because their standard of living is so poor. After just a month in England, you can see the difference it makes."

During their stay, the children are treated to trips to adventure parks and tourist attractions, and given free dental and optical care.

Sandra said all the children who visit are underweight as a result of poor diet and eating food grown on contaminated farmland.

She said: "When the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster occurred back 1986, the region immediately surrounding the site were evacuated.

"But many areas further afield were not. As a result, diseases such as leukaemia are more common, as well as blood and thyroid disorders."

Since it was founded in 1994, the Kings Langley branch of the charity has hosted about 100 children.

This year, it will invite ten children, between the ages of eight and ten, for a one-month stay.

During their visit, the children will be entertained on weekdays by the charity with the responsibility falling on "host parents" at evenings and weekends.

Children are billeted out to families in pairs. For more information, telephone Sandra or Mark Cheshire on 01442 389855 or 07979 705913 or e-mailmark.cheshire2@ntlworld.com.