A DISS charity that provides summer breaks for children living under the cloud of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is calling on host families to come forward.

Volunteers in the area have been welcoming children from Belarus during the summer holidays for the last 10 years.

Members of the Diss branch of the Friends of Chernobyl's Children (FOCC) are now calling on people to accommodate 12 children who are set to arrive for a four-week stay in July.

A meeting will take place next week for anyone interested in getting involved in the project, which helps to improve the long-term health of children living near the Chernobyl disaster site.

Charity co-ordinator David Hannant said the branch was in severe financial difficulties last year, but had gone from strength to strength following an appeal for funding to meet a �6,000 shortfall.

The next visit from the children from Mogilev, Belarus, is due to take place from July 15 and the charity organises a host of day trips and activities.

'Our hosts range from families with young children to retired couples and singles, so if you're interested, please come forward and attend the meeting, and after that if you would like to take things further, we'll organise a home visit and arrange CRB checks. The language barrier which can be off putting to new host families is not usually a problem, although interpreters staying locally are available 24/7 should the need arise,' said Mr Hannant.

The Diss group is one of 26 across the UK part of the Friends of Chernobyl's children charity, which was formed to help youngsters affected by the fallout of the 1986 nuclear disaster.

The open meeting will take place at St Mary's Church Hall in Diss on Thursday, February 10 at 7.30pm.

For more information, contact Mr Hannant on hannant@btinternet.com or visit the website on www.focc.org.uk.