Bake Off star Paul Hollywood was among the guests at the unveiling of a new enclosure built to house five lions rescued from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, near Ashford, last week welcomed four new furry faces as Rori, Amani, Lira, and Vanda arrived on Kent shores.

They joined Yuna, who was also rescued from the war-torn country and arrived at the park in August, as part of the charity's 'Big Cats in Crisis' campaign.

The initiative began in May with the aim of creating a brighter future for the lions who have suffered extreme hardship due to the conflict with Russia.

Ten months on and keepers - which care for about 40 big cats including tigers, cheetahs and snow leopards - have today unveiled its new habitat, The Lion Rescue Centre.

The £500,000 purpose-built facility has been designed to meet the physical and psychological needs of the five big cats, ensuring a secure and stimulating space for their future.

Designed to provide them with the ideal environment to rest and recuperate, each lion has individual needs due to abuse.

For example, Yuna, who suffers from severe neurological and coordination challenges, has no high platforms and a more gentle slope for her to climb.

Managing director Cam Whitnall said: “We are so relieved to have these lions safe and settled in their forever home.

“Seeing their feet touch the grass for the first time in our state-of-the-art Lion Rescue Centre was an emotional moment for all involved.

“Nervous at first, all five cats are now starting to relax, play and explore their new habitat.”

But now, just a week after arriving, The Lion Rescue Centre has officially opened in a ceremony attended by the likes of park ambassador, Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Baroness Hayman.

Members of the public will be able to visit and see the lions during the sanctuary’s open days in July.

In a statement following the event, the sanctuary added: “The opening of the Lion Rescue Centre was nothing short of extraordinary.

“All five rescued lions have settled in beautifully, already showing curiosity and playfulness as they interact between their habitats.

“Their unique personalities have shone through from day one, and today, our guests had the privilege of being among the first to see them thriving in their new forever home.”

All four cats had previously been in temporary facilities across Belgium called Pairi Daiza, Planckendael Zoo and Natuur Hulp Centrum.

Working alongside Cross Border Animal Services (CBAS), the journey to transport them from Belgium got underway on March 12.

The following day, the rescue team collected Rori and then Vanda before making their final stop to collect Amani and Lira.

Mr Whitnall was then joined by CBAS to transport the lions through Belgium and France before boarding a ferry to the UK.

The 12-hour journey saw all four lions arrive in Smarden on March 14.

Yuna moved to Kent aged just three following a four-day journey across six countries in August.

Found in a cramped 3m by 4m concrete enclosure with an aggressive male, she suffered a severe concussion from heavy bombing and blasted debris.

Initially cared for at the Wild Animal Rescue Centre, her recovery was tragically interrupted by more shelling, leaving her unable to stand or walk.

Facing euthanasia, the Smarden sanctuary rescued Yuna - a move which has since transformed her life and personality and saw her experience grass for the first time.

Meanwhile, Rori, who is also thought to be aged three, lived in a private menagerie and is believed to have been used for illegal breeding.

When found, he could not stand, most likely due to shell shock, and it took him two weeks after being rescued to do so again, as he continues to face co-ordination issues.

Vanda, believed to be an 18-month-old female, was rescued from a flat in south east Ukraine, having been kept as a family pet and surrendered when she became too hard to handle.

She was found with no access to the sun, or a suitable enclosure and was severely malnourished.

Meanwhile, two sisters, Amani and Lira, were temporarily housed at Pairi Daiza and are also both believed to be aged three.

The sisters were rescued together and were assumed to be illegally bred for photo exploitation purposes.