Robert and Carol Wilson have spent much of August looking after Vova, 11, and Mikita, 12, two boys from Belarus in the former Soviet Union.

The couple are among the first in Warwick to host children from Belarus through the charity Chernobyl Children Life Line.

The youngsters grew up in the area contaminated by radiation from the explosion, and suffer from weakened immune systems, poor eyesight and are susceptible to cancer.

But after only two weeks in the UK, Mr and Mrs Wilson believe the difference is clear for all to see.

Mr Wilson said: "People who have seen the children after they have been here for two weeks tell us how much better they are looking.

"They say a month with us can add another two years to their lives."

The couple, both care assistants at St Michael's Hospital, offered to host the children when they heard about the charity earlier this year.

They have taken the children on special trips to Warwick Castle, Wellesbourne Airfield, the Cotswolds and Ufton nature reserve.Mr Wilson believes the time he and his wife have given has made a huge difference to the children - and brought them an unexpected satisfaction.

He added: "Considering the lives they have had back home the boys are really bright and cheery. It is surprising with the problems they have.

"We gave up two weeks of our annual leave and taking these children on outings makes you feel pretty good.

"Just to see the look on their faces is reward enough."

www.chernobylchildrenlifeline.org

The 1986 Chernobyl disaster was the world's worst nuclear accident.

An explosion at the power plant in what is now Ukraine scattered radioactive material across the Soviet Union and Europe.

Almost every country in the northern hemisphere was affected but the Ukraine and Belarus areas received the most contamination.

Young people in the areas affected suffer from cancer and other health problems as a result.