A CHARITY based in Westbury which helps children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster is losing the use of storage space where it collects donations.

Chernobyl Children in Need has two 20ft containers at Comet’s distribution centre in Quarter-master Road, on the West Wilts Trading Estate. Earlier this month Comet announced the centre may close in August.

The charity is now appealing to businesses in Westbury and Trowbridge for a piece of land where it could keep its two containers. Last year it stored £83,000 worth of clothes, blankets and toys which was delivered to schools, hospitals and orphanages.

Wincanton Logistics, based in Methuen Park, Chippenham, employs all staff at the site.

Charity chairman Adrian Walker said: “I went down to Wincanton, which employs the staff who work at Comet, to ask them what the situation was because at that time it hadn’t become official and they told me they would have to be out by August.

“Wincanton have been great with us but now we’ll have to find somewhere else.

“We need a site big enough to put the two containers and ideally we need a location within 15 miles of Trowbridge or Westbury.”

A total of 123 jobs are at risk and all employees are undergoing a 90-day consultation process, which began on March 2. The news was the second blow for the town after Lafarge announced it would be mothballing its plant .

Anyone who can help the charity can call Mr Walker on 01373 858584.