THIRTY members of Evesham’s Polish population have taken a trip to London to get an inside view of British democracy at work.

The residents headed south to Westminster where they enjoyed a tour of the Houses of Parliament and met with their local MP Peter Luff.

Those who went on the trip were all members of the Polish Community Association in Evesham and they were joined on the adventure by students and teachers from the Polish Saturday School which has been serving Poles in the Vale of Evesham for more than a year.

After enjoying their guided tour of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the group met with Mid-Worcestershire MP, Mr Luff.

They were invited to ask him questions about the British democratic process, his work in his constituency as well as in the capital. Mr Luff also asked a few of his own questions, as he was keen to find out more about the life of the Polish community in his constituency.

The group found time to visit the Museum of Parliamentary History, located in the Jewel Tower opposite the Palace of Westminster. They also managed to fit in some sight-seeing and went shopping for a London souvenir.

The visit was organised as part of the Migration and Integration in Rural Areas Project by Tom Piotrowski, Migration & Integration In Rural Areas Co-Ordinator, based at Wychavon District Council.

Mr Piotrowski said: “The trip was a great success. Polish migrants who live and work in the Vale of Evesham are keen to contribute to their local communities, but they are also interested to learn how British democracy and society in general work.

“A visit to the bedrock of democracy in this country is a great way to achieve this. Every one had a brilliant time despite low temperatures on the day.”