Booming business between Bradford and Poland has prompted a teacher to turn her back on the blackboard in favour of a tour and translation service.

Since the enlargement of the European Union last May and the admission of Poland, Bradford has attracted a new wave of migrant workers, especially badly-needed tradespeople.

It prompted Polish-speaking Helena Danielczuk to turn her language skills into a business and set up ACE, the Anglo-European Cultural Exchange Network last autumn.

The initial idea was to specialise in translating and teaching but, following discussions with Business Link, Miss Danielczuk realised she needed a more diversified business.

"Due to increased numbers travelling between the UK and Poland on businesses and for leisure, ACE was approached by Polish companies to organise visits here, particularly for young people keen to improve their English skills," she said.

"We've also been approached to co-operate with travel companies in Poland to organise thematic, unique and bespoke tours to Poland, the Baltic States and Ukraine."

ACE's first tours leave Bradford at the end of May and take in Polish capital Warsaw, Vilnius in Lithuania, Mragowo in the Polish Lake District and the port of Gdansk.

Miss Danielczuk said other trips involved women-orientated "pamper and shopping" trips to Vilnius; beer and vodka tasting in South East Poland; skiing in Szczyrk and Christmas and New Year trips to St Petersburg in Russia and other Baltic locations.

Next month, ACE is helping to organise the first of several trips to England by Polish teenagers. The first visit to Yorkshire takes place in July.

ACE has expanded so rapidly from its beginnings in Miss Danielczuk's front room, it's now looking for larger premises in the city.

"I'm trying to promote the Yorkshire area in particular as well as lesser known places in Poland," said Miss Danielczuk. "Most people just go to Cracow or Warsaw but there are a lot of places off the beaten track which are more attractive."

As the momentum has increased, Miss Danielczuk has found herself working not just as a teacher and translator of Polish and English but gearing up for even more tours.

She had been forced to give up teaching after a leg injury and despite good advice had faced the prospect of going it alone with some trepidation.

"Like any business, in the first few months you don't see much for your efforts but I think it's a long-term thing."