The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service have donated two fire engines to help put out fires in Ukraine caused by the Russian invasion, according to members of The Royal Berkshire Fire Authority.

They are being driven, fully equipped, to Poland and are expected arrive by the weekend (March 19).

The Royal Berkshire Fire Authority have replaced them with four new fire engines for use in the county.

Read more: 'My parents fled Russia's bombs but face inhumane refugee rules to reach Bracknell'

RBFA member champion for organisational development Councillor Pauline Helliar-Symons posted on Facebook: “They will be taken to Ukraine to help put out the appalling fires there. They should arrive by this weekend.”

This was confirmed by RBFA member Councillor Alison Swaddle who announced the “great news” on social media.

It has been three weeks since Putin sent armies into Ukraine.

Read more: #ThereWithUkraine: We're launching our Ukraine appeal - how you can help

Today, rescuers are searching for survivors in the ruins of a theatre ripped apart by a Russian air strike in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, authorities said.

Hundreds of civilians had been living in the grand, columned theatre in central Mariupol after their homes were destroyed in three weeks of fighting in the strategic port city.

Nearly a day after the attack, there were no reports of deaths.

With intense street fighting cutting off much of the city from the flow of information, there were also conflicting reports about whether survivors had emerged from the rubble.