Hundreds of Polish people packed Bradford City Hall for an evening of celebration and information.

Organisers of the groundbreaking event were almost overwhelmed - with many families queuing in the rain until space cleared.

The occasion marked St Nicholas Day, an Eastern European festival when children traditionally receive presents.

The dozens of youngsters attending the event were each given a parcel celebrating Christmas in Britain.

The packages contained a cracker, mince pie and chocolate coin.

One family won four tickets to see Peter Pan at the Alhambra, pantomime being another great British Christmas tradition.

Councillor Ian Greenwood, leader of Bradford Council's Labour group, hailed the event "a massive success".

He said: "The tremendous response demonstrates these people's desire to be involved in the community life of the district in which they now live."

He said 500 people at a time were crowding into the City Hall Banqueting Suite and Reception Rooms, with queues forming outside.

"Bradford is a place of many cultures and we wish to celebrate all of them," Coun Greenwood said. The evening was both a thank you to the established and highly-respected Polish community in Bradford and a welcome for recent arrivals from Eastern Europe.

"The new arrivals have come to work in this community, to make a contribution and to build new lives," he said.

Helena Danielczuk, chairman of the Bradford Polish Federation, said: "I am very surprised by the huge turnout because of the bad weather.

"This is a community that is keen to integrate. Bradford learns from them and they learn from Bradford.

"Many of these people, especially those who have brought their families, are here for the long term."

Mrs Danielczuk handed out a questionnaire asking the migrant population where they turned to seek help.

She wanted to know if they worked, if their jobs were in their own profession and if they were happy in them.

Mariola and Chris, a Polish couple with two young children, have been in Bradford since 2004.

Chris, a PVC fabricator for a window company, said he wished there had been a similar information day when he first arrived in Bradford, with no English and no job.

"Why has it taken so long? It was so hard when I started here. We did not know where to go for information," he said.

"I am happy because I have a job and people here are very friendly. I am planning to stay."

As well as traditional Polish and British festive food, the event included entertainment from a juggling clown with balloons and spinning plates.

Information stands provided leaflets and help with health, education and housing.