MEMBERS of Southamp-ton's large Polish community are welcoming proposals to create thousands of new jobs for them in the UK.

DIY giant B&Q has confirmed it is considering recruiting scores of painters and decorators from Poland.

The firm is one of Hampshire's biggest employers, with 1,200 staff at its headquarters in Chandler's Ford alone.

Southampton's Polish priest the Rev Krzysztof Kosciolek said: "This is good news. The younger generation and older generation here in Southampton are very hard-working people and we are happy if someone can offer us a good job with good salaries."

The priest, based at the Polish Catholic Centre in Portswood, added: "We are pleased our countrymen may have the opportunity to improve their lives."

B&Q is hoping to launch a new painting and decorating service to help boost profits after they fell 52 per cent to £209m last year.

Chief executive Ian Cheshire confirmed that he would like to offer the service across all of its 322 stores eventually.

A lack of available workers in the UK means they are considering the possibility of bringing people over from Poland to fill the posts.

He said the plan would involve "thousands and thousands" of Poles.

Polish translator Barbara Storey estimates there are more than 20,000 Poles living in Southampton - almost one in 11 of the city's population.

Mrs Storey, who has lived in Southampton for the past 13 years, said: "It is a really good idea. Polish people will work hard for less money than British people. I hope they will give preference to people already living here."

A spokesman for B&Q in Chandler's Ford said it was too early to say the impact it would have locally.

"The painting and decorating service would be a long-term project as B&Q looks to grow the installations side of the business," she said.

"If this service were to proceed, B&Q would need to provide qualified, certified tradespeople to meet demand."