COMPANIES that have trouble finding staff could turn to a new Ryedale firm to source eastern European workers.

Katie Dennis, of Dennis Distribution, which was founded in Malton more than 80 years ago, and her Polish business partner, Adam Patkowski, established Anglo Polish Communications Ltd in January.

When Ms Dennis recruited four drivers from Poland, which is part of the European Union, for her haulage company with the help of a contact in Ireland, it gave her the idea for a new business.

"I got the idea that we could source Polish workers for positions in the UK. We don't bring people in and find them jobs; we work from specific requests from companies that are having problems recruiting in this country. It's really to expand horizons, not to take local jobs," said Ms Dennis, who is based at the York Road Industrial Estate, Malton.

Ms Dennis said that in Poland there was an unemployment rate of 35 per cent, and a Polish butcher, for example, may earn the equivalent of £200 a month in his home country, and about £300 a week in England.

"Because of the amount of unemployment, they're obviously keen to work and the wages are so poor in comparison. If they work here they can afford rented accommodation and still send money back home," said Ms Dennis.

The firm can recruit all types of workers; non-skilled, skilled and white collar workers. Mr Patkowski places adverts in Poland, gathers the CVs, then whittles down the candidates before carrying out interviews.

Ms Dennis said: "We are not an agency. This is purely a head-hunting company. This means that the Polish workers are going to be working for the same wage and have the same motivation as the English person they're standing next to."

In Poland there is a 99 per cent literacy rate and about 42 per cent of people can speak English. The company plans to offer training for Polish workers.

Peter Mudge, of the Malton and Norton Initiative, welcomed the new venture. He said: "If there's a need in the market then it's important to meet that need, and it can't be met by the people we have locally. I think it shows entrepreneurial spirit."

However, Kirkbymoorside town mayor Nigel Richardson was wary of the venture. He said: "I am concerned that this would have a negative impact on employment opportunities for young people locally. I think there is a lot to be done in this area to improve our infrastructure in terms of things like bus services to support our young people into work, and I also think any money made in this area should, ideally, be fed back into the local economy."

Updated: 09:22 Friday, March 18, 2005