Sandbach Mayor along with other dignitaries is attending a vigil organised by the Mayor of Cheshire East to support the people of the Ukraine.

The Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor Sarah Pochin, is holding the event on Friday inside Crewe Market Hall.

It will be an ecumenical event 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 and 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, which takes place at 5.30 pm, is expected to last thirty minutes and will conclude with clapping in a show of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Cheshire East Council has arranged for the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine to be flown outside the Municipal Buildings, in Crewe, and outside other council buildings in Sandbach and Macclesfield. The Municipal Building will also be illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

The council is working 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, a Sandbach Town councillor, 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.