Dunfermline MSP's and a city church have been participating in efforts to forge closer links between Scotland and Ukraine.

Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP said she was proud to speak at the first meeting of the Scottish Parliament's new Cross Party Group (CPG) on Ukraine.

And the Link Church have also joined the CPG, after showing continued support to Ukraine.

Ms Somerville was invited to participate in the initial discussions last week, with the group looking at closer ties between the two countries.

She said: "It was a pleasure to speak at this week's inaugural meeting of the Cross-Party Group on Ukraine. I was also really glad to see parties from across the chamber represented. Although we may disagree on a number of issues, we are united in our support for Ukraine and its people.

"I hope this new group will enable us to further strengthen the growing relationship between our two countries."

Over 26,000 people from Ukraine have arrived in the UK with a Scottish sponsor, with more than 20,500 of them through the Scottish Government's Super Sponsor scheme. Many of those arrivals have now started to rebuild their lives here in Fife, getting jobs, learning in schools, and settling into local communities.

The Link Church have been supporting Ukrainian families and individuals for the last 18 months.

Pastor Doug Allan said: "The people arriving from Ukraine had experienced so much trauma and distress and we wanted to do whatever we could to try and make settling in the Dunfermline area a bit easier for them.

"There has been great support from the wider Dunfermline community, including from our local MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville, who has met with the Ukrainian people and consistently responds to any difficulties being encountered.

"The people we have got to know from Ukraine are caring, resourceful, resilient and so appreciative of the welcome they have received in Dunfermline and West Fife.

"It is our privilege and responsibility to do whatever we can to support them for as long as they need us, both here and when they are able to safely return to Ukraine."