VOLUNTEERS are preparing a welcome for thousands of migrant workers due to arrive at Brierley Court fruit farm near Leominster in what could be the final year of occupation of the farm's unauthorised caravan "village".

Owners S & A Produce say it is "business as usual" in gathering the farm's fourth strawberry harvest, despite the recent blow meted out by a Government minister.

Ruth Kelly, secretary of state for communities, ruled that the Brierley caravan park roads, buildings and infrastructure - all built without planning permission - must be bulldozed by January.

Company spokesman Russell Griffin said this week that the firm had not yet decided whether it would appeal against the decision and was still consulting lawyers.

Meanwhile, members of Leominster Churches Together are planning to re-open a friendship centre to provide support for the strawberry pickers, most of whom come from Eastern Europe.

From June 4, the centre at Leominster's Moravian church hall at South Street will be open every afternoon as a place for rest, free refreshments and advice for the pickers.

Free English lessons are being given one evening a week by a team of six volunteers.

Co-ordinator Marielle Biggar said: "Building on last year's work, we are glad to have co-operation from the management of S&A, who have promised to tell new workers where the centre is.

"They've also offered to help with transport to the events we are planning, as a way of bringing together the community with the workers."

The centre is located along the route the pickers use to walk into town for shopping trips. By the end of June, there will more than 3,000 workers at S&A's two sites at Brierley and Marden.

Volunteers at the centre are planning a programme of social events, including a friendship barbecue on June 16.

Marielle said the centre had formed itself into a company limited by guarantee and had also been granted charitable status. The moves would allow more effective fund-raising.

The friendship centre has already opened informally for early arrivals at the Brierley site and it is appealing for new volunteers to help staff the facility.