GLOUCESTERSHIRE "stands ready" to play its part in providing safety for people fleeing the Ukraine after Russia's invasion.

More than 500,000 people have fled the Ukraine since Russia invaded the country last week, according to the UN refugee agency.

Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council has now said the county stands ready to welcome those fleeing the war. 

He said: "I’m troubled and saddened by the conflict in Ukraine, and my thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, and Gloucestershire’s Ukrainian community.

"It’s a dreadful situation and we have offered support to staff who may have friends or family who are directly affected by it.

"Along with our Gloucestershire Housing Partnership colleagues we stand ready to support individuals fleeing the violence.”

Ruth Saunders, chair of the Gloucestershire Housing Partnership, said: “As a partnership, which includes Gloucestershire County Council and the six district councils, we support international resettlement across the county.

“Should central Government contact us about a scheme for Ukrainian refugees, we will work together and see how Gloucestershire can respond to support those individuals fleeing the violence.”

No information has yet been released about when and how many refugees will be arriving in the county. 

Yesterday Boris Johnson, who had faced pressure to do more to address the refugee crisis, said Britain would take "considerable numbers" of people fleeing the Russian invasion.

But he didn't go so far as matching the EU’s offer to waive visas for entry for three years, with the government citing security concerns.

Instead, the existing scheme which only applies to 'immediate' family members will be extended to wider family members - adult parents, grandparents, children over 18 and siblings.

Ukrainians who have no family already in Britain may be able to enter the country via a sponsorship route for firms to bring Ukrainians to the UK.