BANK branches in Suffolk are now offering services in Polish as the number of immigrants from the country grows.The Lloyds TSB branches in Ipswich and Lowestoft have literature translated into Polish as well as a speaker of the language available on a part-time basis.

BANK branches in Suffolk are now offering services in Polish as the number of immigrants from the country grows.

The Lloyds TSB branches in Ipswich and Lowestoft have literature translated into Polish as well as a speaker of the language available on a part-time basis.

It comes as the bank unveiled a new current account targeting the Polish community, which has swelled since the country joined the European Union in 2004.

Edward Chwastek, manager of the Polskie Biuro on Argyle Street, Ipswich - which helps Poles with anything from finding accommodation to filling out forms - welcomed the bank's Polish language services.

He said: “I think that it is a response to market forces. Every bank is trying to grow its market, and they see that they can increase their market share by making the opening of bank accounts easier for Polish people.

“Some Polish people have limited English and so this type of help is useful. It seems like a win-win situation.”

Lloyds TSB said more than 100,000 current accounts had been opened by Polish customers in the last year alone.

Polish language brochures are available at the Lowestoft and Cornhill, Ipswich, branches as they are within the bank's top 130 Polish-serving branches.