The hour-long BBC2 programme aired last night delved into the issues of the sheer number of foreign nationals heading to the city – particularly from Poland.

Not for the first time it put into the spotlight the strain of the dramatically rising population - thought to be 30,000 higher then Government figures - on police, housing and the health service.

And it showed the stark contrast between the work ethics of the willing Eastern Europeans and the British youths happy to live on Government hand-outs.

READ ET COMMENT: We have heard it all before

Councillor Charles Swift took the camera crew around New England pointing out problems with fly-tipping and overcrowding.

Several farmers also appeared describing how their businesses would probably collapse without the European migrants.

Almost 50 people posted comments on The Evening Telegraph website since yesterday morning both before and after the documentary was aired.
Most blamed the Government

for the problems being suffered by the city, but many admired the Poles' work ethic. Now it is hoped that showing Peterborough's schools packed full and services underfunded to breaking point will finally kick the Government into action.

Leader of Peterborough City Council, John Peach, who made a brief appearance on the programme, said: "It was a documentary about the effect of migration in a country where the migrants are leaving and the effects on the city where a lot of them have come to and the consequential effects. It showed the problems the police, local authority and health service are having and the strains on housing.

"I hope Gordon Brown saw it and will now see we do have problems in the city and will not carry on with the fraud of keeping money back from us."

The Millfield and New England Regeneration Partnership (Manerp) also featured in the programme. Chairman Hema Patel said: "It was slightly disappointing because it didn't really show the effects of migration and the suffering it causes. Residents are fed up with all the problems – such as housing, waste and underfunding. The city council is trying its best to clean up all the problems, unfortunately it's just like fighting a losing battle. There are too many people in such a small area and there aren't enough finances or manpower to keep up.

"The long and short of it is that we're stuck with them, so let's deal with the problem now instead allowing more people to come in."