Ukrainian refugees living in Bridport celebrated their independence day by singing and baking traditional cakes and bread.

Bridport Refugee Support Campaign sponsored the event and found embroidered blouses for the singers in Fat Face, which also made a donation to the cost of them.

Andrew Dixon kindly agreed to play the accordion for them and they rehearsed a series of traditional Ukrainian songs in the Quaker Meeting House. The arts centre allowed the group to gather on its forecourt as Bucky Doo Square was already booked. Rough Assembly generously supplied the amplification and microphones for the choir as the band had been playing in the morning on the square.

The crowds gathered on Bucky Doo as the choir started singing and they cheered at the end of each song and applauded the singers.

Barry Lovejoy, chairman 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."

In the evening at 6pm, the singers joined in the Brit Valley Rotary Club picnic for Ukrainian Independence Day at West Bay.

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."

Every year on August 24, the Day of Independence of Ukraine is celebrated across the country. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine declared their independence, in a referendum this was supported by 80 per cent of the population.

To celebrate, concerts and festivals are held on the capital's main square. People dress up in embroidered clothes, carry state flags, sing songs and glorify the motherland.

The same tradition is preserved in all the major cities of Ukraine. In addition, prayers for the health and safety of the country are read in churches and temples, and at the end of the day, festive fireworks are set off in all cities.