A special civic reception has been held to celebrate the twinning of an East Lancashire borough with a Ukrainian town.

The event at Accrington's Haworth Art Gallery follows June's announcement that Hyndburn is to twin with Khust in the west of the war-torn country.

The reception on Monday welcomed Professor Mykhailo Oros from the Ukrainian town.

He was given an Accrington Stanley shirt to take home with him.

Hyndburn’s political leaders, council officers, representatives from the charity sector and NHS, plus members of the local Ukrainian community attended the event.

Welcomed by deputy mayor, Cllr Joyce Plummer, guests enjoyed presentations on the history and culture of Khust, a tourist resort with a rich heritage in basket weaving and food production, including honey.

This was followed by gift giving between Hyndburn Council and Khust Council.

The borough's leader, Cllr Marlene Haworth was presented with gifts including a Ukrainian Flag and she offered gifts to Khust, including an Accrington Stanley Shirt.

She said: “It was our pleasure to host Professor Oros and I hope he has enjoyed his visit this week to Hyndburn and Lancashire.

"The local community proposed this town twinning initiative, and I am very proud to be working to make this happen.

“Many Hyndburn people have opened their homes to Ukrainian families who have fled the war and our community is now their home.

"Right now this town twinning is our message of solidarity in difficult times, in the future it will be a way for businesses and industry to make connections, to stimulate tourism and help both of our communities grow and prosper.”

Professor Oros gave his thanks to Hyndburn for the hospitality and the warm welcome Ukrainians have received since the war started as he issued a formal invitation to Cllr Haworth to visit Khust.

She said: "I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone involved in the Homes for Ukraine scheme, supporting people who are here building new lives.

“Special thank yous go to Dr Valeriy Hrymchak, who initiated the town twinning idea, to Angela Higson, a Hyndburn resident who has supported Ukrainian arrivals to Hyndburn, and to Maundy Relief, who have become a safe space and hub for the local Ukrainian community.”