CHESHIRE East Council is working with the Home Office in readiness to support Ukrainians seeking refuge.

Council leader Sam Corcoran says the council has a very good track record of welcoming Syrian refugees, unaccompanied asylum seeking children and Afghan interpreters and their families and providing them with both temporary and permanent accommodation.

Now he says it is preparing to support those who are seeking refuge from Ukraine following the invasion by Russia.

Speaking at Thursday's meeting of the corporate policy committee, Cllr Corcoran: "On March 1 the government announced the Ukraine family scheme and the local sponsorship scheme for Ukraine, which will provide additional support for Ukrainian nationals and their family members.

"Cheshire East Council is in daily conversation with the Home Office and, once we have the opportunity to act in the form of a resettlement programme, we are well positioned with our partners, agencies to support this humanitarian crisis within our borough."

He told committee members Cheshire East had ordered Ukrainian flags to fly outside council buildings, but the original supplier had cancelled the order because there has been such an increase in demand.

"So we hope to fly the Ukrainian flag shortly to show solidarity with Ukraine," said Cllr Corcoran.

Cllr Nick Mannion said it was important to remember people in other parts of the world were also suffering.

"Over the last weekend there were also airstrikes on residential properties in Eritrea, Somalia, Yemen and Syria," said the Macclesfield councillor.

"And I think it's important, just because Ukraine is the headline and it's in Europe, we don't forget that there are other people and families and communities suffering elsewhere in the world as well."

Details about how local people and agencies can work with the council to help the crisis response are available on the Cheshire East website.