A POLISH city which has a friendship agreement with Swindon will officially become part of Europe today.

Torun, which entered into a friendship and co-operation agreement with Swindon on May 13 last year, will become part of the European Union when Poland joins the EU.

It is one of 10 countries entering the EU today, along with Cyprus,the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Bronislak Rejek, a member of the co-ordinating committee of Swindon's Polish community, said: "I think enlargement is a great thing for the countries in Europe.

"Poland has always been part of Europe but was pushed out when the Soviets took over. We are all very pleased that Poland has become a member."

Coun Stan Pajak (Lib Dem, Eastcott) who set up the friendship agreement with Torun last year said he thought the EU enlargement would bring real change to the country.

He said: "I think it will be a real change to all the Eastern European countries and will be a big improvement on all the lives of the people out there."

Chris Bulzacki, who runs TorunTrips.co.uk from Swindon said: "When countries come together in this way they have new experiences with each other, there will be many benefits to the people and many will find it very enriching.

"It is easy to be critical about the decision but it will lead more friendship and closer co-operation."

Torun is home to about 220,000 people, and is located on the banks of the River Vistula between Warsaw and the Baltic port of Gdansk.

It is the birthplace of the 15th century astronomer Nicolaus Copern-icus, who said that the planets orbit the sun rather than earth, as was previously believed. Now a university bearing his name teaches about 30,000 students.

It is a mediaeval city and has managed to survive conflicts in Prussia and the two world wars.

After the war the Soviets moved in and signs of its Communist past still exist in its many tower blocks.

Now its main industries are the university and a gingerbread factory.

Its history and culture will be permanently preserved as the town has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Daryl Jones, the international and European officer for Swindon Council said: "It is amazing that this historic town has survived so many conflicts.

"Now we are working towards becoming twin towns and Torun is keen to learn from Swindon.

"It currently has 25 per cent unemployment, which is an unacceptable situation for them.

"But in Swindon we have developed strategies to deal with unemployment which they wish to learn about in Torun."

What joining the EU means

Today the European Union welcomes 10 new member states, which are Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Their entry will turn the EU into the world's biggest trading bloc, with a population of 455 million in 25 states.

Many of the countries are joining just 15 years after separating from Communism.

For the people living in the new member states it means that they will have the freedom to travel around Europe and work in any member state, while legislation will be harmonised with Europe to give citizens European rights.

Europe will also pass funds to each state to help improve its infrastructure, roads, and railways.

Critics fears the changes will lead to many Eastern bloc residents being able to move to Western Europe, a charge denied by those in favour.