A search is on for kind hearted families who can ensure that sick children from a nuclear disaster area can go on enjoying holidays in a healthy farming area.

Boys and girls from Belarus, which was devastated by the Chernobyl explosion in 1986, have been given breaks in the area around Barnard Castle, Co Durham, each summer for the past six years.

The children, many afflicted by leukaemia and other cancers, improve rapidly thanks to the fresh air and good food. Their strength is built up, helping them to make better progress after they fly back home.

But the project will have to end unless some more Teesdale families can be found to take in a child and mother for a week or two next summer and in future years.

Mrs Hazel Yeadon, who has taken in some of the visitors for the last three years at her home in Boldron near Barnard Castle, said yesterday, "It is wonderful to see the difference a holiday here can make to a Chernobyl child.

"It gives them such a boost that they can cope with life much better when they get home. It will be terrible if we can't find a handful of kind people to ensure the project goes on."

When a nuclear power plant exploded on the border of Ukraine it sent tons of radioactive material into the air, and 70% of it blew onto the population of Belarus. Parts of the country will never recover, and the death rate among children is still tragically high.

Hosts who take in Chernobyl visitors are given modest expenses and other volunteers help by taking the groups for picnics or day trips.

Mrs Yeadon said, "It takes up a lot of your time, but it is a rewarding experience, especially when you see the good it does and hear about the dreadful conditions these people face in their own country."

Anyone who would like to volunteer or to hear more about the project can call her on 01833-638710. This summer seven mothers and seven children had a holiday in the dale.

The mothers said through an interpreter when they left that they could all see improvements in the young ones. When the children were asked what they liked about Teesdale two girls replied, "Everything."

But there are now only four host families on the books as some of the original group have grown too old or moved away. Around 400 children from Belarus are flown to Britain for holidays in different parts of Britain every year.