Lancaster City Council members have been invited to learn basic Polish at one of two "taster" sessions in Poulton and the West End where it is estimated around 2,000 Poles have settled.

They will also try Polish food, and learn about Polish culture and customs.

The first session was due to be held at Morecambe's Winning Back The West End offices last night and another will take place at the Poulton Neighbourhood Management office in July.

There are eight places available on each and police community support officers are also expected to attend.

Tutor, Ewa Armbruster, 35, who lives in Lancaster, moved to the area from Poland seven years ago.

"The idea is to give councillors a flavour of Poland," she said. "Hopefully it will help with any difficulties councillors and the community have in communicating with each other and help councillors address people's needs.

"Some Polish people say they do not get enough help when they arrive and some say they are treated wonderfully."

Beata Pawlowska, 31, who moved to the West End from Poland two years ago, and works at the Nationwide Building Society in Morecambe, said: "I think it's a good idea which will improve relations with the community because Polish people have problems communicating with English people.

"Some Polish people here speak English fluently but some speak very little and there are a lot who do not speak English at all."

A council spokesman said he could not say how much the sessions cost the authority because it has not yet been invoiced.

He added that it was difficult to estimate how many Poles had moved to the district because some returned home after a short period.

In the future the council plans to hold similar sessions covering other communities in the district.