Ukrainian refugees arriving in Peterborough 'need help finding homes'

Mark Murray said the city needed to help refugees who had fled the country, including from cities such as Russian-occupied Mariupol (pictured)

Ukrainian refugees in Peterborough need help finding homes, according to a charity.

Helping Empower Lives in Peterborough (Help) said fewer people were coming forward to offer to be hosts.

A charity manager told the BBC that housing was the biggest problem facing Ukrainians arriving in the city.

Mark Murray outlined the difficulties as the charity prepared for a Ukraine Cultural Celebration, scheduled to take place on Saturday.

Help works with Peterborough City Council and has been the main point of contact for Ukrainians arriving in the city since shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Mr Murray, office manager at the charity, estimated that 200 Ukrainians were in Peterborough - many of them wives and children of men fighting in the war. He said one woman had two sons on the front line.

"People are still arriving," said Mr Murray.

"At the moment housing is the biggest issue - finding host families.

"At the start there was a lot of publicity. I think Ukraine has maybe dropped out of the limelight a little bit - not as many host families are coming forward now."

He said if host families did not come forward, alternative accommodation had to be found, and that could be difficult.

Mr Murray said the charity aimed to celebrate "all things Ukrainian" at its Ukraine Cultural Celebration at St Mark's Church on Saturday.

The day will include performances, food, crafts and information for refugees.