A system monitoring living and working conditions for migrant workers in the Helston and Camborne areas has been praised.

Two years ago Kerrier district council set up a group to tackle concerns over the living conditions of migrant workers in the area, which ahs proved to be successful in promoting better conditions across the district.

As a result of this success, the council has now been recognised as an example of good practice in Crossing Borders, a reporter published by the Audit Commission.

Councillor Pat Aston, portfolio holder for social inclusion at Kerrier council, said: Migrant workers play an important part in the economy of Cornwall. They deserve good pay and working conditions, which will not undercut the pay and conditions of local workers. All agencies need to ensure that Cornwall's reputation for growing quality produce, especially for export, is not undermined by visiting workers experiencing poor living and working conditions. The district council will protect all the people who live and work in Kerrier."

To coincide with the report, the West Cornwall Migrant Worker Action Group - made up of Kerrier's environmental health officers, together with various other bodies including the police, fire service and Health and Safety Executive - visited sites who are known to employ migrant workers, or who are suspected to do so.

Hope Bradbury, Kerrier's environmental health manager with responsibility for private sector housing, said: "This latest initiative from the Migrant Worker Action Group demonstrates how the concerns surrounding migrant workers can be improved and maintained through effective partnership working.

"All the organisations involved agree that the carrying out of these planned operations reduces the overall demand on resources to each of the agencies involved, but at the same time meets the aims and objectives of everyone involved."