Worcester City Council’s party leaders will welcome refugees from Ukraine with open arms as the city turns blue and yellow.

The leaders of four political parties in Worcester have released a statement voicing their support for the city’s Eastern European population and the nation of Ukraine.

As an act of solidarity, a Ukrainian flag will be flown in Cathedral Square whilst Guildhall will be lit up blue and yellow.

A candle-lit vigil will also take place next week to give Worcester residents a chance to pay respect to those affected by the conflict.

The statement read: “There can be no one in Worcester who is unmoved by the plight of Ukraine at this terrible time. Our city and county are home to a strong and proud Eastern European population and we know that they will stand with us when we say that our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine.

“Many refugees from this conflict will make their way to the UK under the Government’s programme, and we look forward to welcoming some of them to Worcester.

“As a symbol of our support, we are flying the Ukrainian flag in Cathedral Square and lighting the Guildhall in blue and yellow.

“The Disasters Emergency Committee has now launched a Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and we would like to encourage anyone who feels able to make a donation to do so at www.dec.org.uk.

“To show our solidarity with and respect for the people of Ukraine we are organising a candle-lit vigil in Cathedral Square next week, and we hope that many Worcester people will be able to join us to show their support. We will announce the date and time shortly.”

The statement was signed by Conservative councillor Marc Bayliss, Labour’s Adrian Gregson, the Green Party’s Louis Stephen, and Mel Allcott of the Liberal Democrats.

The University of Worcester is also flying Ukraine's flag, at both the University's St John's Campus and at the Art House.

The university's vice chancellor, Professor David Green, said: "Colleagues and students throughout the university have been horrified by the Russian regime’s invasion of Ukraine.

"The needless deaths of civilians, including children, as well as soldiers, the injuries to many more and the displacement of so many people is truly devastating.

"Worcester was founded after World War II to “win the peace through education”.

"As an institution our commitment to democracy, the rule of law and the sovereignty of independent nations is unshakable.

"As a community, we express our solidarity with the Ukrainian people as they fight to preserve their cities, country, lives and freedoms.

"We ask our government to do all they can in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

"It is clear that the Russian people are being misinformed and there is evidence of much opposition to the war in Russia. It is certainly not a war in their name or in their interests. Every day the opposition is growing.

"We know that what we can do is small compared with the magnitude of the problem, but we cannot rest so long as there is any sense that we are not doing all that might be done."