CHARITY supporters have issued an SOS to Alsager families in a bid to save a holiday for young radiation victims.

Five children and their mums from Belarus are to stay in Alsager and Crewe this summer for a few weeks of clean air and fresh food.

However the organisers of the trip are in desperate need of host families, and need to raise £3,000 by the end of May to fund the visit.

Doctors say the holidays boost the children's immune systems for at least two years, helping them to resist or recover from serious illnesses.

The children are suffering from the legacy of the nuclear reactor explosion at Chernobyl in 1986, and are due to arrive in Alsager in July.

The holiday is organised by the Alsager, Crewe and Haslington branch of Chernobyl Children's Project UK, which is staging a piano recital by Peter Katin next month.

"We desperately need publicity for the recital, as it's our biggest fund-raiser of the year," said group publicity officer Jackie Howell from Alsager.

"If we can't reach our £3,000 target we can't host the children, and we're also in dire need of host families."

TIn addition the group is seeking sponsorship for the recital, which is to be held at the Victoria Community Centre Hall in Crewe on Saturday, May 19.

For tickets ring 01270-874032.