A POLISH children’s library has opened in Poole, thanks to an initiative by three local mums and help from the community.

They run a parent and toddler group, Szkrab Poole by the Old Town Children’s Centre and at the moment the library has 350 books available including those for younger and older children and 20 on parenting.

“The library gives our families and many others with children easy access to Polish books of all genres,” said Patricia Stachowicz, one of the organisers.

“We believe it will help us, carers to encourage our children, who will read, write and speak most of the time in English while at school, to learn to read and write in Polish as well and value their heritage.

“Most of all it will, hopefully, keep Polish language alive within the English environment that we live in, whilst also helping us to embrace and value both cultures.”

Grants were received from the Community First Neighbourhood Matched Fund and from the children’s centre.

Money was raised by selling items made by Polish mums and from St Nickolas Day, which is celebrated on December 6, with a tombola and donated prizes.