A KIND-HEARTED woman who opened her home to refugees has warned others to go through official channels amid fears she was “used” to get a Ukrainian national a visa.

The woman, who asked not to be named, offered a room in her four-bedroom Great Wakering home after seeing an appeal on a Facebook page.

She was contacted by a man who said he was looking for accommodation for a female Ukrainian friend.

The woman sorted out the necessary papers and visa, but was left stunned when the refugee arrived and complained her accommodation was unsuitable.

The woman said: “I’d put on one of those Facebook appeal pages that I had a spare room and was contacted by a Turkish guy who said he lived in Colchester.

“He said he had a longstanding friend who needed help.

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“She was 46 and I’m 52 so I liked that she was someone around about my age.

“I was told that she had been vetted and I was checked by Rochford Council.”

The woman says she was told the man and refugee would turn up on Good Friday.

But they didn’t arrive until several days later.

She added: “I was a bit unsure about them but I made them tea and let them stay the night in an annexe, which my father uses sometimes.

“In the morning the man said she wanted to stay in the annexe, but I told them she couldn’t and showed her the room I had for her.

“They looked at it for 30 seconds then the man said she didn’t like the room and they left.

“Now I have a visa granted to my address and I think I was just used to get her into the country.

“I think the council should vet them first but I know people are just trying to help.

“The sad thing is she took the place of someone who may have really needed it.

“I don’t feel able to do this again.”

To find out more about the refugee scheme, visit www.

gov.uk/guidance/homes-forukraine-scheme-frequentlyasked-questions