Mr and Mrs Groszek opened their store in Llanelli three weeks ago

Estimates suggest over 1,500 Poles now live in the area, many arriving in the two years since Poland joined the EU.

The centre offers advice on employment, health care and other issues and aims to help Poles to integrate and prevent them being exploited.

It also provides a translation assistance for local businesses and services such as the NHS.

The centre was opened on Monday by Assembly Minister for Social Justice Edwina Hart and Hanna Zwisza of the Polish Consulate in London.

It was set up by Llanelli's Credit Union and is supported by assembly government funding.

Project co-ordinator Halina Ashley, who was born in Poland and settled in the UK 38 years ago, said: "At the credit union we would run surgeries each night for Polish workers after we closed but we could just not cope with the numbers.

I'm pleased to be here. It's very good Jan Ziarnick

"We were helping with all aspects of life - health care, employment rights, child benefit - everything.

"The centre will help the Polish community integrate but it is not just a service for them - it is also for the local businesses such as the post office, surgeries and hospital when they need help with quick translations."

Jan Ziarnik, aged 37, who has been in the town for 15 months and works as a cleaner at the Carmarthenshire-based meat processing factory Dawn Pac, said: "For me I'm pleased to be here. It's very good.

"My wife and two children are in Poland and I work and send some money home."

He said it was through the help of the existing Polish community that he had been able to settle and the service was much needed.

Sausages and bread

According to the Department of Work and Pensions, about 1,100 foreign nationals applied for National Insurance numbers with recorded address in Carmarthenshire in 2005/06, with more than 60% coming from Poland.

To support the growing population, Mariusz and Sylvia Groszek have just opened two Polish stores - one in Llanelli and the other in Swansea.

Edwina Hart and Hanna Zwisza opened the centre in Llanelli

Mr Groszek arrived in Wales two-and-a-half years ago and after working on a farm and then as a painter and decorator, he wanted to start his own business.

His wife added: "We sell everything from Polish sausages and bread to magazines and newspapers - basically everything that was not available in Tesco and Asda.

"So far so good."

Ms Hart said the assembly government was preparing welcome packs for all Poles arriving in Wales.

"These workers pay taxes and play a vital role in the success and regeneration of our economy, often filling skills shortages and seasonal vacancies in our key industries," she added.

Ms Zwisza said Polish migrants wanted to play a full role in British life.