Polish karaoke could be the next big thing as a thriving ex-patriot community opens its first bar.

There are an estimated 5,000 Polish nationals living in Brighton and Hove, attracted by seasonal work in the city's hotels and restaurants, good weather and a vibrant nightlife.

Now a bar is being opened where they can enjoy Polish themed nights, karaoke and beers imported from home.

Brighton drag queen Kitty Litter, whose ancestors were Polish Jews, has converted the Bacchus Wine Bar, in Prince Albert Street, into the city's first Polish bar.

It relaunched on Friday night with a new name, Polska Strefa, and Kitty expects it to become a hub for the city's younger Polish community. Kitty said: "It's going to be great and there are going to be Polish events throughout the year."

The idea for relaunching the wine bar came to him when Polish friends asked if they could hold a Polish-themed cocktail evening. Kitty said: "They were saying if they want to meet other Polish people they have to travel to London, which is really expensive."

Kitty added that lots of employers ripped off Polish immigrants, who were willing to work hard for little money, and the bar would help new arrivals to avoid working for unscrupulous companies.

The bar will be managed by couple Thomas Wojdak, 26, and Justyna Kawak, 24, who arrived in Britain only six months ago.

Thomas said: "The bar's in a good location and there's a definite need for this.

"The community is growing quickly since the European Union made it easier for Polish people to come to Britain.

"Life's good here in Brighton and Polish people are happy to be here. It's a better place to live than London because there are 500,000 Polish people there and it is hard to find a job.

"Here there are lots of restaurants and hotels and the weather is the best in Britain.

"Sometimes people stay for six months or a year but I want to stay for another five or six years.