A CIRCUS which has helped to house Ukrainian refugees is set to perform two shows in mid Essex next month.

Circus Cortex has the largest percentage of Ukrainian cast members of any circus in the UK.

There are 16 members who have been successfully brought to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Circus artiste Tetiana Lotiuk was caught in Kharkov when the war broke out.

Separated from friends and family for nearly three months, she left the bombings and travelled for days, going without sleep and food to reach the safety of Circus Cortex.

She said: "I decided that I could be killed on the first day of the war - I accepted it.

“It can happen I just accepted it, like I was living every day just hoping to wake up tomorrow."

Speaking of her home country, Tetiana added: "It's quite hard to go on stage and to have a big happy smile and entertain people because my mind is on those in Ukraine and so is my heart.”

Due to restart back up this April, everything had to be put on hold when owner and director Irina awoke in late February to the news the world was dreading - that Russia had invaded Ukraine.

The cast had contacted Irina as soon as Russian troops set foot on Ukrainian soil, recounting the sounds of the missiles exploding and how scared they all were.

From that moment on, Irina made it her mission to get as many acts and their families on the move and bring them safely to the UK.

With 80 per cent of the cast being Ukrainian that would be no mean feat, but Circus Cortex has beaten the odds and say they are thankful that they have managed to put together a wonderful cast and crew at such a difficult time.

The circus has been performing shows on an ongoing tour and is set to come to two locations in mid Essex.

They will be coming to the Spa Road Recreational Ground in Witham from September 2 to 5.

The group will then head to the King George V Playing Field in Heybridge from September 15 to 19.

For more information, visit circuscortex.com.