The Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor Sarah Pochin, will hold a vigil in Crewe this Friday, in support of the people of Ukraine.

It will be an all-inclusive event to be held at 5.30pm inside Crewe Market Hall, aimed at showing solidarity with the people of Ukraine, where thousands are leaving their homes to escape the conflict with Russian forces.

The Venerable Ian Bishop, Archdeacon of Macclesfield, will lead prayers. Also taking part will be Catholic priest Father Artur Stelmach, from the Polish Roman Catholic Community of Our Lady of Ostra Brama, in Crewe, and the Rev David Edwards, of The Lighthouse Centre, Crewe.

Vice Consul Patryk Gowin, from the Polish Consulate in Manchester, will also speak as will the Mayor, Cllr Pochin. The event is expected to last thirty minutes and will conclude with clapping in a show of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Sarah Pochin stated: "As Mayor of the borough I felt that it was entirely appropriate to invite everybody to come for a time of reflection and show solidarity for the country of Ukraine."

As of last night, Cheshire East Council has placed a blue and yellow flag of Ukraine outside the Municipal Building in Crewe. There are also flags outside other council buildings in Sandbach and Macclesfield.

The Municipal Building was illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian flag last night, this can be seen in Municipal Square once it goes dark. The display will be on every night in the run up to the vigil and beyond.

The council is working in alignment with central government guidance to support Ukraine and is awaiting further details about support measures to bring Ukrainian refugees to this country.

The leader of the council, Councillor Sam Corcoran and deputy leader, Councillor Craig Browne, have both expressed their support for the people of Ukraine and their hope for a swift solution to the events in the Eastern European country.

In a recent statement both said the borough will play its part in accepting Ukrainian refugees to the borough, which has a tradition of welcoming families from Eastern European countries.

The vigil will last for approximately 30 minutes, ending close to 6pm.

[I] Crewe: Have you signed up for our FREE Friday weekly newsletter? It contains each week's top 10 Crewe news stories, and one EXCLUSIVE article.

To sign up just enter your email address in the box below.