Ukrainian refugees gathered in Bridport to celebrate their Independence Day - as the country fights for its survival.

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign (BRSC) sponsored the event which featured Ukrainian nationals singing in Bucky Doo Square and baking traditional cakes and bread to offer to the people of Bridport.

As the singers took to the forecourt of Bridport Art’s Centre, the experience was described as ‘heart-warming’ by one viewer, they were also joined by Bridport based musician and composer Andrew Dixon on the accordion.

Barry Lovejoy, Chair of the BRSC said: “Standing amidst the crowds listening to the Ukrainians singing I was so pleased we had been able to support them.

“The people of Bridport gave very generously when we were fundraising to bring a family from Sudan, who have now successfully settled here, and it is good to be able to also support new refugees in our town.”

Valentina Osborne, a Ukrainian who has lived in Bridport for four years said: “We celebrated our Ukrainian Independence Day even though our country is fighting for its very survival, and this year, Ukraine celebrates the 31st anniversary of the day when Ukraine became a free state.

“It was good to see the people of Bridport smiling and clapping along and hear their support.”

Later that evening at West Bay, the singers joined Brit Valley Rotary Club at their ‘Picnic for Ukrainian Independence Day’.

The singers were also able to wear blouses that featured a traditional embroidered style that Ukrainian’s normally wear on the day from Fat Face, with the shop making a donation towards the cost of the blouses.

Rough Assembly supplied the amplification and microphones for the choir as the band had been playing in the morning on the square.

Ukrainian Independence Day is celebrated every year on August 24, it is normally celebrated by a host of concerts and festivals that are held on the capital’s main square with people wearing embroidered clothes, carrying state flags and singing songs.