A wave of foreign workers has turned Brighton and Hove into one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Britain.

Just under 13,000 people from 80 countries have come to work in the city in the past four years, many from the Eastern European countries that joined the European Union in 2002.

According to statistics released yesterday by the Department for Work and Pensions, Poles make up the majority, with 1,500 arriving in Brighton and Hove but they were closely followed by 1,200 Spaniards.

Mark Froud, chief executive of business support group Sussex Enterprise, said workers from abroad could boost the city's economy by as much as £10 million a year.

He said: "On the whole, it is positive for the economy but we have to make sure people who are on the unemployment register are able to enter the labour market."

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Simon Burgess said: "They add to the cosmopolitan nature of Brighton and Hove. We've seen different people over the years and we wouldn't be what we are without our different communities who have made a positive difference."

Amy Harris, supervisor at the Tin Drum in Dyke Road, Seven Dials, said the restaurant had introduced a Polish menu.

She said: "We've always had a lot of Polish beers but now we have the polish cuisine."

Music promoter Laurence Hill, of the Komedia music venue in Gardner Street, said: "TheWarsaw Village Band sold out and a lot of Balkan music is hitting the mainstream."

Last year alone, more than 5,000 foreign job-seekers took jobs in the city and 84 different nationalities moved here.

Eastbourne and Hastings have received just 2,170 and 1,910 foreign workers respectively in the last four years.

City councillor Bill Randall said hardworking foreign nationals were good for Brighton but he added: "The issue is if people bring their families and, perhaps, if people have been here for a year and they are entitled to benefits, there could be pressure on housing."