St Helens "stands ready" to welcome people fleeing their homes in Ukraine following the invasion by Russia.

The United Nations Refugee Agency said earlier this week that one million people have fled the country following the invasion.

Many more are expected to leave amid the crisis.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said 200,000 Ukrainians could be allowed to join family in the UK.

Local authorities are preparing to play their part in supporting those fleeing war.

Cllr Jeanie Bell, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for safer, stronger communities, shared her views.

She said: “We stand ready to offer our support to those in need in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in the same ways we have supported Afghan families too.

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“St Helens has a long history of welcoming people who are fleeing persecution or war and those that have made St Helens their home have added to our rich diversity as a borough and continue to contribute to our local economy, but fundamentally this is a moral question and it is our duty to help those in need if we can.

“We will continue to work with and support our voluntary sector organisations such as Our Warm Welcome who help to support and integrate our new arrivals into the borough.

“We are awaiting the full details from Government on how a scheme to support Ukrainians will work but we are ready and willing to play our full part in supporting those who are looking for a safe place to live.”