A benefit concert in support of Ukraine will be held later this month one year on from the intensification of the war.

The concert will be held at Reading Town Hall, with all proceeds going to the Ukranian community.

Funds will particularly go to the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, which has been supporting Ukrainian guests who have fled the war in their country, which intensified following an invasion by Russian forces on February 24, 2022.

According to the council, which is putting on the concert, the event will “showcase the beautiful richness of Ukrainian culture”.

READ MORE: Putin's invasion is 'evil incarnate': council pledge to act to help Ukrainians fleeing war

It will be hosted by Matt Allwright, who grew up in Reading and is the presenter on The One Show and Watchdog, and Mel Bloor of ITV Meridian.

Amongst the acts will be the dance ensemble “ Prolisok”, who recently appeared on the BBC’s One Show.

The dance group will be premiering a special written dance for the event.

Other acts include Mirage, who perform a modern take on traditional Ukrainian songs.

The national instrument of Ukraine, the bandura, will be London ensemble “Band Era” who took part in BBC’s Radio Berkshire’s carol concert in 2022.

These and other special guests performing both in English and Ukrainian will be among those taking to the stage.

The concert begins at 7.30pm on Friday, February 17.

Tickets cost £27 and can be booked via the What's On Reading website.

READ MORE: Ukrainian refugee hunts for home with four Yorkshire Terrier puppies

The evening has been organised by the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, councillor Rachel Eden (Labour, Whitley) the Mayor of Reading and Reading Borough Council.

Funds raised from the concert will be directed to the Ukrainian community centre through the Mayor’s Appeal.

 Mick Pollek of Reading Ukrainian Community Centre said: “This is an opportunity for us to thank all the people who have so generously helped and continue to support us and our newly arrived visitors.

“With the war still raging and our friends and family under daily pressure, this is an opportunity for us to showcase who and what Ukrainians are.

“For people to see that our diverse culture and traditions are worth protecting. Slava Ukraini.”

Cllr Eden added: “Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine almost one year ago, the Ukrainian people have endured horrific atrocities and shown great courage. People in Reading have been determined to show solidarity a wide range of ways once again proving that we are a City of Sanctuary, not only in name, but in our actions.

“This concert will raise vital funds but also be a celebration of Ukrainian culture which we know is under threat from Putin’s ideology – making it even more important that we celebrate it.

“For those of us lucky enough never to have to flee our homes while war is still raging can’t imagine what Reading’s Ukrainian community have gone through but we can show support.

“I’d urge everyone who can to come along and enjoy Ukrainian music and dance, while also showing our continued support to Ukraine.”

Both cllr Eden and Mr Polleck spoke passionately at an event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

War in Ukraine began nine years ago between Ukraine defence forces and pro Russian separatists in the country following the Euromaidan protests and ousting of former President Viktor Yanukovych.