EASTERN European food is now on sale in a new store in Trowbridge.

The Polish Deli, Roundstone Street, has done a roaring trade in its first few months.

The Polish food has found its niche among interested English shoppers as well as the large Polish community.

The shop sells all manner of Polish products including sausage, cheese, fish and soups.

But it is the bread that has proved the most popular says the manager, Matthew Kaczmarek, 22.

"The English say it is the best bread in Trowbridge," he said.

Opening any new business involves a high level of risk: especially if that business has never been tried before.

So what led to the decision to open the Polish Deli?

"There was no Polish store before and because of the large Polish community we felt that it was needed.

"Also it gives English people a chance to try the food," said Mr Kaczmarek.

The owner of the Polish Deli, Maciey Polczynski, 47, settled in Trowbridge a year ago, but has been in England on and off for 10 years.

He hopes the shop will be open for many years to come.

"We've done good business so far, so I will keep my fingers crossed. About 70 per cent of our customers are of Polish descent and 30 per cent are English. We hope to increase the number of English customers and promote Polish food," said Mr Polczynski.

Polish cooking is distinctive and dishes tend to have a well-defined taste and often use sauerkraut, mushrooms and a variety of vegetables.

The Polish community in Trowbridge numbers over 2,000 and, although well integrated into the town, still retains a strong identity of its own. Many settled in the town after fleeing their home country during the Second World War and rebuilt their lives in the UK. More recent arrivals came to the UK to find work and were attracted to Trowbridge because of its existing Polish community.

The town is twinned with the Polish community of Elblag and has built up strong links with the country.