A HEREFORD crisis group supporting Ukrainians affected by the war with Russia is having its premises taken away.

Hereford Help for Ukraine was set up by Olga Tverdokhlib from her three-bedroom house but quickly realised she would need extra help and more space.

The aim is to help those in Ukraine and refugees arriving in the county.

Car seats, cots, pushchairs, clothing, medicine, and food are just a few items people from around Herefordshire have donated to refugees who have made it to Herefordshire and to those still experiencing the conflict.

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Herefordshire Council donated two warehouses in Three Elms Trading Estate for the group to use while the conflict continues.

But Herefordshire Council has decided the warehouse can no longer be used by the charity.

Organiser Dean Granger has been working with local businesses, including Avara Foods, to find jobs for refugees.

Since then, people from Hereford struggling with the cost-of-living crisis have also approached Hereford Help for Ukraine for help.

A spokesperson for Herefordshire Council said it has been fully supportive of the efforts to support Ukrainians in their own country and those who have travelled to the UK and the county under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme.

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This support has included providing the Association of Ukraine Great Britain (AUGB) with the temporary use of the council's unit at Three Elms Trading Estate, free of charge, they said, but that now has to end.

"AUGB has always understood that the availability of the accommodation at Three Elms would be temporary and that arrangements with the council would evolve over time," said the spokesperson.

"Talk Community colleagues have been working with the organisers for a while now to find suitable, permanent, space for the group which has several sites they wish to consolidate into one premises.

"Discussions have been held with the chair and vice-chair of AUGB over several months and agreement had been reached with them about vacating the premises around the end of January – but we've always indicated that the date can be flexible to meet their needs.

"They've been working to identify sites and premises that may be available and other organisations to work with.

"If there are organisations within Hereford who may be able to help with available space, we would ask them to please get in touch."