Ukrainian seamstress goes from shelling to sewing

A professionally trained seamstress who was forced to flee war-torn Ukraine has brought her skills to Portishead.

Mila Shkurat is from Sumy, on the Russian border, which was occupied by Russian forces when the invasion first began three years ago.

"I was worried - we live near the Airport and near a small army area - which was bombed first. All stuff from Russia crossed our city. Bombs, rockets and drones – they were in the sky every night," she said.

She has now settled in Portishead, near Bristol, and has launched a small business offering tailoring services on the High Street which has proved popular with locals.

When her hometown came under heavy shelling Ms Shkurat decided to leave with her husband and two children and managed to relocate to the UK.

"Just last month our city was bombed by rockets and was damaged a lot in the centre," she said.

"One of the places that was bombed was where my daughter used to dance."

Ms Shkurat has set up a small tailoring business offering a range of services

Her elderly father chose to stay in Sumy - and she said she has many regrets about leaving him - and her home - behind.

"We miss the life, you know. I have lost everything and I miss everything," she said.

"It's not only home, but memories, pictures of my children from their childhood. My mum died 10 days before the war and I cannot visit her grave."

She said the war has been like a terrible dream and she still "can't believe it is real".

But she said her new business has helped her feel "useful".

"People come to me, they smile, they love my job and it is most important to be useful here," she said.