THE number of young Polish people living and working in Wyre Forest is steadily increasing following their country's entry into the European Union last year.

Polish Consul, Wyre Forest district councillor Mike Oborski, estimates there are now several dozen newcomers to the district.

The Kidderminster-based consulate has launched a bilingual website and a poster campaign providing them with information, news and assistance.

Mr Oborski said there were either young Poles who had been "head-hunted", especially by engineering companies to do jobs that were not being taken up by English people, or those who wanted to improve their English and were working in unskilled or semi-skilled jobs to pay their way.

He stressed that in neither case were they looking to permanently settle in England.

"By chance there is a Polish community here from the Second World War, which is rather nice for these young people who are welcome to come along to the Polish Church and Polish Club and can seek help," he added.