A UKRAINIAN mother and daughter living in Eastleigh have come out on top in a national vlogging competition.

Oksana Chernova, 43, and 17-year-old daughter Lena won first prize in the competition put on by transport company, Go-Ahead Group.

Go-Ahead, which owns Southampton-based bus operator Bluestar, challenged passengers to create a video featuring the gems to be enjoyed by taking advantage of the £2 bus fare cap.

The mother and daughter team came up with their minute-and-a-half video which shows Lena travelling from her home in Eastleigh around various parts of Southampton. 

Sites seen in the video include the Civic Centre, Bargate, Town Walls, Tudor House, Mayflower Park and the docks. 

Oksana told the Echo said: “We have come a long way from our home just north of Kyiv, and I’m so proud of Lena - who put in much of the work for this video.

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"We spent quite a lot of time putting together a storyboard and planning our video, before setting off and filming our day out in Southampton using the £2 fare cap.

“We’re very grateful for all the support we have had from people in Southampton and Eastleigh, and we’d like to thank them for making us feel so welcome."

Lena already had a theatrical background, having appeared on TV with now President, Volodymyr Zelensky in a parody of Brokeback Mountain when she was just four. 

The pair have won a brand-new iPhone 14 with Lena having been inspired to kick on and study film and production at university. 

Daily Echo:

Her mother added: "I’m so pleased that the prize was an iPhone because Lena will make very good use of it in her studies."

Lena’s father, Slava, 50, worked as a special effects master in film production before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where he stayed to be with the Ukrainian army.

Oksana said: “The main thought in her story was to leave home as soon as possible. Our troops would work more effectively if they don’t need to protect civilians. So, don’t stay at home, don’t disturb them at work.

“I would never forgive myself if my children would perish. So, regarding all those considerations, we decided to leave home.”

Oksana’s youngest daughter, Yara, 14, also lives with her mother and older sister in Eastleigh, with host Janie.

Andrew Wickham, Bluestar managing director added: “I’m delighted for them both. The judges had no idea of Oksana and Lena’s challenging personal circumstances when they picked out the winners but, knowing what we know now, this achievement is particularly impressive.”