Renfrewshire Council is donating cash to help those suffering as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

At a full council meeting held yesterday, elected members agreed that a donation of £20,000 should be made to a fund set up by a group of UK charities known as the Disasters Emergency Committee, to support its efforts in both Ukraine and war-torn Afghanistan.

Councillors also placed their solidarity with Ukraine on record as all parties called for Russia to cease its attacks.

The Ukrainian flag has been flying outside Renfrewshire House, in Paisley, as well as Houstoun Square, in Johnstone, and Renfrew Town Hall, after councillors agreed a show of support.

They also rallied behind a motion by SNP member Lisa-Marie Hughes and Labour's Derek Bibby which condemned the war and urged governments to continue sanctions against Russia.

The motion also called on the UK Government to lift visa requirements for all Ukrainians wanting to enter the country and asked officers to investigate how the council could help international aid groups and charities in collecting public donations.

The agreed motion stated: “Renfrewshire Council records its concern regarding the grave threat to the safety and security of Ukrainian citizens, believes the suffering caused to communities across Ukraine by the Russian military invasion cannot be ignored and expresses its full support to and solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“Council supports calls for the Federation of Russia to cease its attack, to leave the national territory of Ukraine and to respect all international treaties and fundamental principles of international law.

“Council acknowledges the response to date of the international community in applying sanctions against the Russian regime and calls on governments to redouble such efforts to discourage Russia from further aggression and further supports calls on the UK Government to lift visa requirements without further prevarication for all Ukrainians seeking to enter the UK, as other countries have done.

“Council stands ready to assist in all appropriate ways with humanitarian support and refuge to the people of Ukraine.

“Council requests the chief executive to write to the Consulate of Ukraine in Scotland to express our solidarity. Council requests the chief executive to write to the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Scotland, conveying the council’s condemnation of the actions of the Russian government.

“Additionally, council instructs officers to urgently investigate what steps council can take to assist UK-based international aid groups and charities in the collection of public donations in regards to personal goods, medical and relief supplies in order to assist the Ukrainian people in their time of need.”