A call is being made for volunteers to help a Wells-based children's charity.

The Children of Chernobyl charity, formed 19 years ago to help victims of the world's worst nuclear accident, is looking for volunteers to help it fulfil its busy support programme.

The charity supports families living close to the explosion site and has brought hundreds of children to the Wells area where they stay for a month with local host families.

Help is needed with everything from administration to visit planning.

"The very severe problems in Belarus continue," said chairperson Rosie Price.

"Apart from the growth in radiation-linked illnesses such as thyroid cancer among children and adults, the extreme poverty, alcoholism and related problems are getting worse.

"We are doing all we can to support those affected in villages close to the accident, but we urgently need help here in Wells.

"This year, we are sending much-needed funds to schools and hospitals in the area as an alternative to having children over to stay.

"Organising a children's visit needs an enormous amount of planning and the charity has decided that we should concentrate on bringing children over next year when, hopefully, we will have more helpers in place.

A major fundraiser – a Big Coffee Morning – is to be held on April 24 and the group hope to raise money to help pay for improvements to a small health centre in one of the villages.

It will mark the 24th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster and anyone wanting to hold a Coffee Morning should ring 01458 446294 or email jrandrp@aol.co.uk for a Big Coffee Morning pack.