A PARK was the unlikely home of a celebration more likely to be seen on the bank of the Dniepro than the home of Laurel and Hardy.

Displaced refugees joined their hosts and volunteers for a party to celebrate Wednesday's Ukrainian Independence Day.

The war-stricken Europeans enjoyed fish and onions on rye bread in anticipation of the now-traditional celebration.

The party, in the shadow of the Hoad Monument at Ford Park, Ulverston, was a slice of home for those who find themselves in Furness after fleeing Ukraine.

A spokesman for Furness Refugee Support said: "We had a lovely afternoon with our Ukrainian friends and their hosts to celebrate the day.

"There were lots of lovely cottage cheese cakes, dumplings, filled roast potatoes and gherkins, fish and onions on rye bread on giant cocktail sticks!

"Thanks to everyone who brought food and music and good company."

Independence Day of Ukraine, the country's main state holiday, is celebrated on August 24 each year to mark the Declaration of Independence from the USSR in 1991.

In normal times, there are street parades, music concerts and public celebrations, but this year there are fears Russia will mount attacks.

Former Tory leadership contender Tom Tugendhat has disclosed he is in Kyiv as Ukraine marks 31 years since it declared independence from the Soviet Union.

And Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't think that there's been any wavering, I think that's what Putin would love the world to do. It's what he would fantasise, we'd all sort of go back to our sun loungers.

"The simple reality is we see this as a direct threat not only to Ukraine, but to our values, and the world is still pretty solid and determined.

Ukraine's President Zelensky has warned there will be a 'powerful response' to any attacks. He said Russia could do 'something particularly ugly'.