BLUE and yellow umbrellas are to be hung in a Taunton street to demonstrate the town's support for the people of Ukraine.

Somerset West and Taunton Council is working with empty retail and event branding specialists City Dressing to suspend the 16 brollies above Castle Bow.

They will be attached to the overhead wires already in place from 11am on Monday (March 7).

The initiative is being led by City Dressing free of charge, which is reaching out to towns and cities across the UK for suitable locations to display their umbrellas and generate support for those suffering as a result of the war sparked by the illegal Russian invasion.

Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, leader of SWT, said: “We’ve worked closely with City Dressing before to produce branding and print signage when re-opening our high streets following the lockdowns and when running our pop-up Santa’s Post Office at Christmas time, so we were more than happy to show our support and accommodate them when they approached us with this request.

“The invasion of Ukraine marks one of the darkest periods in recent European history, and I and many of my colleagues, have expressed our solidarity for the plight of its people which was poignantly highlighted at our council meeting last week.”

Both Somerset County Council's highways team and neighbouring businesses in Castle Bow are supporting the installation which will be removed once the war is over, pending its duration and compliance with any planning regulations.

In a further show of support, SWT has flown the Ukrainian flag at its main office at Deane House in Taunton.

Somerset County Gazette:

The Ukraine flag flying outside the Deane House, in Taunton.

A further flag will also be raised at West Somerset House in Williton from Monday.