"I choose to be in this safe place" Ukrainian mum living in Lancashire reflects on two years of war at home.

As we approach the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we're hearing from a displaced family who've settled in the safety of Lancashire.

The conflict began on 24th February 2022, and Saturday's anniversary comes just days after the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Anna Prohozhuk, a mum of two from the west of Ukraine, is sharing her story as she reflects on two years of fighting in her home country.

"I'm very appreciative to be here in this safe place. A few years ago I would dream about a new car, new dresses, a private school for my daughter, but now I'm just very appreciative to have two pairs of jeans."

Having fled to Poland with her mother and two young children when the war first broke out, Anna was one of thousands of women forced to leave behind her husband and the majority of her possessions. She stayed in Poland for around a year before making the move to the UK eight months ago. Here, she was placed with a host family in the market town of Chorley.

Recalling those initial days when Russia's invasion started, Anna said: "We woke up on 24th February and we heard a lot of planes in the air. It was frightening and we didn't know what to do. We were wondering whether to take our children to nursery, we were calling each other to understand if it was really war or not?"

"My husband was not staying with us because he had coronavirus, and I needed to decide whether to leave the country. My youngest child was only 4 months old. A lot of women were very brave and we did things we've never done before. We stayed at the border for two days. Usually when you're in a line with a little baby, you can go to the front and ask to be sent through first, but this was not the case. In every single car there were 2, 3, or 4 kids with their mothers and grandmothers. It was only women.

"A lot of women wanted to stay home because they didn't want to learn a language or integrate because they would have been very home sick. Of course it's good to be together with your husband, but I'm scared to be in the war in my country. I was very brave to leave."

Anna's initial move to Poland saw her take refuge in her friend's apartment, which she says felt peaceful. She had none of her belongings but she was happy to be safe. When the time came to move on, she was pleased to receive the support of the British Government.

Anna, her mother and children were placed with Chris and Rowena Pryor in Chorley. The couple's children had flown the nest and, touched by the crisis they saw unfolding on the news, they decided to open their home to a family in need.

Anna continued: "For me it feels like it's only been two months since the start of the war. As a mother, I'm always focusing on what my son and daughter need. I live with such great people. The family make me happy and I feel lucky. Everyone is very friendly and smiley. I never dreamed to be in England, I just heard that here is very safe and the people are very friendly and it's a great chance to be supported from the Government."

"For my kids, this is their home because for the last two years, this house has been very warm and safe. It's a bit of normality for us. Of course I try to understand what to do next but in this moment I am happy, despite the war. I still have my house and somewhere to go back to, but I choose to be in this safe place. Even if some people in Ukraine say that my part of Ukraine is safe - no. For me it is not safe."

Anna's host Chris told us he couldn't have imagined how it would turn out when they signed up to help, but he doesn't regret the decision: "Our initial commitment was for 6 months and then we could extend it for up to a year. We've just said they can stay for as long as they need. It's worked really well, we had the space in the house and Anna's family are lovely; we've all got on.

"I couldn't have predicted this, we know this will evolve, but we'll know them for good and we will look back on this with fondness."

A service to mark two years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine will take place at St Laurence's church in Chorley at 6.15pm on Monday 26th February.