PEOPLE are being urged to help victims of a nuclear disaster by making donations.

Durham City Council is supporting one of a convoy of lorries due to set off for Chernobyl on March 17.

It is being provided free by one of the council's suppliers, Transmore, and local people are being urged to help fill it.

The council is appealing for essential items like children's clothing, toys and games, school equipment, toiletries, linen, towels, cutlery and crockery, and pasta and rice.

It has arranged collection points at Abbey, Coxhoe, Deerness, Meadowfield and Sherburn Sports Centres, and the council offices at Meadowfield, Claypath, Byland Lodge, Dragonville, and Saddler Street/High Street.

All donations must be received by Monday, March 10.