A Ukrainian mother and her six young sons have been welcomed by school pupils, staff and community representatives to their new home.

St Mary’s RC Primary and church in Chepstow launched an appeal in March to renovate their on-site bungalow to house a family fleeing the Russian invasion.

And on Saturday, Lilia Onopa and her children aged five to 15 received a guard of honour from the pupils and the keys to their new home at an official welcome.

A tearful Lilia, who arrived with her family after a five-week visa delay, said: “I don’t have enough words to describe how grateful I am to everyone who helped.

"I’m overwhelmed with the feeling that my kids can finally feel safe."

She described how her hometown near Dnipro had been destroyed, and people killed before they managed to escape by road to Bucharest in Romania.

"The horrible situation happening to our country is because one person, one regime decided my country should not exist, that my nation should not exist.

"Imagine living next to a neighbour, he might have completely different opinions but you do live together.

"And one day your neighbour decides to invade your house, destroy your house, kill your kids, just because they think you’re going to invade them.

"We saw our cities being destroyed, rockets falling on our houses and people dying, and the worst thing was we could do nothing to stop it," she added.

"All we could think about is what are we going to do next."

Members of the local community and Barratt Homes who helped with the appeal, and Monmouth MP David Davies and Archbishop of Cardiff George Stack were among those welcoming them to their new home on Saturday.

St Mary RC Primary posted photos and said: “A pleasure and privilege to welcome many special visitors to our school today. It really shows what a community can do to support those in need.”

Presenting them with the keys, the archbishop said: “This is an opportunity to say to our new family ‘Croesi i Gymru’, welcome to Wales. The land of sanctuary.

"And we hope and pray that you will be happy and fulfilled and content as you begin to understand what wonderful people live and work in Wales."

School chair of governors Phil Cotterell said: "Lilia and her family will not be alone, there is an incredible network of support here in Chepstow."

Monmouthshire Council chief executive Paul Matthews posted in reply to the news: “This is heart-warming. Everyone from and associated with St Marys RC Primary and church in Chepstow should feel very proud.

“I am hearing similar stories all across Monmouthshire as hundreds of Ukrainian guests settle into their new homes. Generosity of spirit when people need it most.”

The fundraising appeal to renovate the bungalow - formerly used for storage - was organised by Louise Pavia, mum of head girl Maddie and wife of local councillor Paul Pavia.