A MALVERN group that organises holidays for people affected by radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is to expand its operation.

Malvern Chernobyl Family Task Group (MCFTG) has hosted a visit by a family from Belarus every year since 1996.

The health benefits from a month breathing clean air and eating uncontaminated food lasts for years after the visitors return to their own country.

However, the Pugach family, who visited Malvern in July this year, experienced difficulties with British border control.

"We have had problems with adults being able to come in," explained Dorothy Knights, of MCFTG. "An adult is allowed to come as an interpreter with a group of children but they are not allowed in as part of a family unit."

On this occasion, the family was allowed through customs but MCFTG has decided to avoid problems in future by changing its scheme.

From next summer, it will bring over a group of ten children each year, instead of a single family.

However, to do this will require additional fundraising. More volunteers will also be needed to provide accommodation for the children during their stay.

Mrs Knights is appealing for as many people as possible to help.

"There's such a tremendous need for these children to come on holiday," she said.

Chernobyl Children Life Line, the national charity that helps MCFTG organise the visits, carries out dozens of similar operations every year. Its chairman Victor Mizzi is visiting Malvern to give a talk about what this involves. This will take place at the Lyttelton Rooms, on Church Street, on Thursday (November 7), at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome.

Anyone who thinks they can help with MCFTG's next project, should contact Jim or Dorothy Knights on 01684 561358.