Families are preparing to host the second - and possibly last - holiday-of-a-lifetime for children still suffering from the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster 15 years ago.

Unless a new chairman can be found for the Medicine and Chernobyl committee in Didcot, founder Ruth Rothery said it would be disbanded after this year's holiday.

"Everyone agrees it would be a dreadful shame if we cannot carry on," said Mrs Rothery, an artist and art teacher.

"But because of my studies and teaching commitments next year, I will have to stand down. So far, no-one is willing to take my place."

Mrs Rothery said potential volunteers could find out more during this year's holiday between July 15 and August 12.

Didcot residents and a family from Brightwell are hosting ten youngsters aged nine to 11 from the former Soviet state of Belarus, now an independent republic.

Belarus suffers from widespread poverty and a large part is still contaminated by radioactivity in the soil.

As a result, many people - especially children - have poor immune systems through eating contaminated food.

Mother-of-two Mrs Rothery, of North Bush Furlong, Didcot, said: "Research at Minsk University has shown that for the children, a month's holiday in England eating fresh fruit and vegetables and breathing clean air can increase their life expectancy by at least two years."

The Didcot group has spent the past year raising more than £4,000 to help pay for the holiday, which will include visits to Didcot Railway Centre, Warwick Castle and other places of interest.

For the first week, youngsters will share desks with pupils at All Saints Primary School, Didcot, which has raised more than £300 towards the cost of the holiday.

To contact Mrs Rothery, call 01235 813567.