Chernobyl children in hosts hunt

The Chernobyl Children's Life Line (CCLL) is calling for volunteer families to host the children they support during their next visit to Edinburgh.

The appeal came as nine children brought to Scotland for a respite break by CCLL attended a reception hosted by deputy council leader Steve Cardownie at the City Chambers.

Each summer CCLL brings a group of children from Belarus to the Edinburgh area for a month of rest and recuperation. These breaks give the children the opportunity to live in an uncontaminated environment, which is believed by some doctors to increase the youngsters' life expectancy by up to two years.

Norma Smith, chairman of CCLL's Edinburgh link, said: "The improvement in their health is noticeable."

Anyone interested in helping can contact CCLL by e-mail at [email protected].