HITCHIN: Our town's iconic St Mary's Church is open for people to pray for peace in Ukraine.

The move comes after Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday (February 24) when Vladimir Putin's forces launched a major military assault as part of a full-scale invasion into its neighbour.

As the world starts to come to terms with such an act of aggression, St Mary's, in the heart of Hitchin, are calling on people to say a prayer and light a candle.

A statement released on Friday morning said: "If you would like to come and take a moment in prayer and solidarity for the people of Ukraine, or maybe light a candle as a mark of your prayers for light and hope in this dark situation, St Mary's will be open today (Friday) and Saturday 11am to 3pm, with prayers being said at the special hour from 12-1pm on Sunday.

See Hitchin Nub News soon for more on St Mary's as well as our regular weekend column A Churchwarden writes.