Twelve Russian children suffering from the effects of exposure to radiation could have extended their life expectancy by up to five years after visiting Bradford.

The youngsters from Chernobyl, where a nuclear reactor was destroyed by two explosions 14 years ago, lodged with families in the city for a month over the summer.

Saltaire woman Jan Taber, from the Children's Lifeline charity which organised the trip, said tests carried out by nuclear expert Professor Nestereko before the trip found each child had Cesium 137 levels of 30, twice the highest recommended level.

The amount of the metal in the children's blood stream affected their potassium levels and weakened the heart muscles, she said.

But tests after the trip revealed the dangerously high levels had fallen to zero for ten of the children.

Mrs Taber said: "With a combination of special vitamins they were given by the professor and the food which was clean, ten of the children's Cesium 137 levels went down to '00', although two of them and an adult teacher still had levels around the 20 mark.

"It's a great success. The experts believe that a month over here can add five years to these children's lives.

"People think that because Chernobyl was 14 years ago that was the end of it but of course it's not because the nuclear pollution has made its way into the food chain.

"Most of these children were not born when the disaster happened but they are still suffering the side-effects. We as parents in Bradford wanted to do something to give them a better chance."

Mrs Taber housed two Russian girls, Tanya Danilova and Katya Veretionova, who became best friends with her teenage daughters Rebecca and Victoria.

She said the search was now on for parents to act as hosts for another party of children from Chernobyl who plan to visit England next year.

Mrs Taber said: "Some of the children from this year's trip are due to come back at Christmas but we're hoping to give another group of children the same chance next year to enjoy a bit of Yorkshire hospitality."

If you would like to help contact Jan Faber on (01274) 596497.