A mum from Ukraine who was given refuge in a Dorset home has helped her host bring a beautiful children's book to print.

Hilary Warren and her husband Tim, of Langton Herring, opened their home to Nataliia Honcharenko, 36, and her son Max, 10.

The pair fled their home in war-torn Ukraine just 20 miles from the Russian border, with Nataliia's husband and Max's dad Sergeii remaining to fight the Russian invasion.

Arriving in Dorset in May, professional photographer Nataliia has helped Hilary make her first children's book a reality. The book, appropriately, carries a message of kindness, empathy and understanding.

Nataliia used her photography and IT skills to get the book Hide and Sleep to print and proceeds from the sale of the first 50 books – the production costs of which Hilary financed herself - will go towards helping the people of Ukraine.

Retired dentist Hilary said: "I am delighted with the result. I'm not sure I could have done it without Nataliia. She's very good at IT and with her husband they worked together to get it done."

Hide and Sleep is aimed at youngsters aged between three and seven and is to be read with parents, carers or teachers.

Hilary said: "Although the story is fictitious, the family and location are real and is set at my eldest daughter’s seventh birthday party at our home. The story, featuring a very sleepy guest and a funny cat, contains an element of discovery, with messages about empathy, kindness and understanding."

The book is illustrated with Hilary's colourful charming paintings. She originally wanted to become an architect before she got into dentistry, she said.

"I always painted and found it to be really good therapy after a day of dentistry, it was really relaxing a really good way of relaxing."

Now Hilary is looking for suitable venues to give readings to small groups of children, for shops to stock the book or for suitable locations for book signings.

Professional photographer Nataliia specialises in portrait photos, photos of families and weddings.

She says people have been 'so nice' since she and Max arrived in the UK. Besides the work for the book, Nataliia has photographed images for Poundbury boutique No 6. She said: "For me the reason I love photography is that it's all about emotions."

Nataliia and Max are getting used to UK life, with Max attending Portesham Church of England Primary School.

Hilary said: "Nataliia is very artistic and we're really getting to know each other."

Tim said: "At our initial meeting at the airport Max came out smiling and we gave them a big hug. We've fallen in love with them.

"They've got the top floor and they have their own space and we share the kitchen.

"They've experienced a hot summer since they got here and we taught Max to swim and he's really taken to playing croquet. Nataliia probably thinks the weather is always like this!"

*Hilary will be attending a special event at The Sunflower Café at 24 East Street, Weymouth, on Saturday, October 29 from 11am to 5pm, where copies of Hide and Sleep will be on sale for £12. Anyone who would like Hilary to give a reading of the book, would like to stock copies or could host a book signing can contact Hilary on 07426 725523.