FORMER Polish president Lech Walesa has launched Durham Cathedral's first guidebook printed in his native language.

Mr Walesa, who gained international recognition battling against Communist rule in Poland, saw a copy of the guide during a visit to the city, to promote trade, as a guest of the North-East Chamber of Commerce.

Anne Heywood, cathedral chapter steward, said: "The cathedral has had guidebooks in more popular European languages for many years, but the recent arrival of many Polish expat workers in the region led to the decision to have its first Polish edition.

"On hearing that the former Polish president was in the city as a trade ambassador, we rushed the printing of the first copy to present to Mr Walesa to launch."