The two year anniversary of the war in Ukraine was recently marked with a visit to the country for a local MP.

David Morris, who represents Morecambe and Lunesdale, travelled to Kyiv on Thursday in his role as the U.K. Delegation Leader to the Council of Europe.

He was taken to see first hand the devastation on a housing estate caused by Vladimir Putin's forces, which was one part of the 'hardcore' visit.

The Westmorland Gazette: Mr Morris was part of a contingent of officials marking two years since the conflict startedMr Morris was part of a contingent of officials marking two years since the conflict started (Image: David Morris)

Mr Morris said: "I was taken to housing estates to witness where missiles had obliterated them causing death, homelessness and misery to communities just like us due to a baseless war of Putin's aggression.

"There were pictures of the Parliament buildings windows with Sandbags piled up at the windows which saddened me greatly."

The visit included an audience with military officials who outlined the full extent of the conflict, as well as a conference involving international statesmen from all over Europe and the United States.

The Westmorland Gazette: The MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale praised his constituents for their continued support towards UkraineThe MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale praised his constituents for their continued support towards Ukraine (Image: David Morris)

"It also focused in stark reality the danger of this war as the real heroes who were fighting the Russian Army on the battlefront addressed us on video link from the frontline. 

"I, along with my colleagues, was named a hero for going to Ukraine during the war from the Western European countries which humbled me and shocked me in equal measure as I just went to show my solidarity and support from the U.K."

The Westmorland Gazette: Mr Morris was able to see the remnants of destruction the war has left behindMr Morris was able to see the remnants of destruction the war has left behind (Image: David Morris)

Mr Morris used the opportunity to thank the community he represents for their continued support of Ukraine.

He added: "We have real heroes too, with our region of Lancashire welcoming one of the most concentrated and highest refugee populations of Ukrainian civilians in the country."

Despite the harrowing scenes that he witnessed, Mr Morris described how one of the key stand outs of the trip was experiencing the kindness of his Ukrainian hosts.

The Westmorland Gazette: Mr Morris with Ukrainian Deputy Pavlo BakunetsMr Morris with Ukrainian Deputy Pavlo Bakunets (Image: David Morris)

"Ukrainian Deputy Pavlo Bakunets gave me a present to give to my little girl from his hometown.

"This touched me deeply as he thought of us when his world is not so safe or secure - we should never take our freedoms for granted."