A NORTH-EAST police force is to hold the first information seminar for people whose first language is not English.

Language barriers prevent many groups gaining access to agencies in the region.

Now, police at Newcastle west area command, under the Government-funded Community Security Project, are holding an informal seminar for Angolan women.

The idea came from a woman setting up an Angolan women's support group.

Community projects coordinator, PC Vicky Norton, said: "Hopefully, if this goes well, then we can run other seminars with other groups."