A SIX-YEAR-OLD Ukrainian refugee is flying the flag for Britain after his family were taken in by an Essex family.

Young Tymofii, mum Alina and his aunt and cousin found sanctuary in Gosfield after being forced to flee the fighting in war-torn Ukraine.

They managed to escape from Odessa after the city came under fire from heavy shelling by the Russian invasion.

The terrified family had been sheltering in their basement to avoid rocket fire.

They are now living with host family Elaine and Stuart Jones, who say the village has welcomed the refugees with open arms.

Elaine said: “Everything happened quickly. Visas were approved, a bus was found to get them out of Odessa, through Romania and into Bulgaria, where they waited for a suitable flight to the UK.

“They arrived here within two weeks from start to finish.”

Elaine was in Palestine at the time and had to fill all of the forms out while she was there.

Thankfully, it all went through quickly and Tim and mum Alina are now happily settled in Elaine and Stuart’s home.

Gosfield School has enrolled Tim into its Year 2 class. Teacher Elle Smith said: “The children have just been so incredible. I am so proud of how they have embraced Tim joining us and have made him feel so welcome within our class and our school.”

Elaine said: “The community has been amazing. We’ve been given everything we needed to make them comfortable in our home.

“I approached Gosfield School as Stuart and I used to work there as a teacher over ten years ago, so we knew what a special place it is.

“I asked if they could offer Tim a bursary place and we were thrilled to find that they were already thinking of how they could support the Ukrainian crisis and they agreed to accept Tim.

“Tim has settled well in these early stages and his mum Alina is delighted.

“She says she is so happy, and can’t believe that people have been so kind to her and Tim.”

Tim misses his police officer dad, who is still in Odessa, but is making lots of new friends in the village and at school.

Headteacher Rod Jackson said: “Gosfield School is extremely proud and pleased to have been able to help a child in need under these circumstances.

“We wholeheartedly support Tim and his family with their new life within the Gosfield community and hope to continue this support for as long as they need.”