North Staffordshire firms are having to employ workers from abroad because of a shortage of skilled workers in the region. A recent survey has shown that more than 600 foreign workers have been employed by manufacturing firms such as Wade, Dudson, Steelite and Primebake.

The scale of the shortage of workers has been outlined for the first time in a survey which reveals at least 70 manufacturers in North Staffordshire are struggling to fill jobs.

Business leaders behind the study, which involved a sample of 120 companies, say the results give a snapshot of just how difficult recruitment has become for manufacturers.

Paul Landrum, director of Wirral-based Top UK, which supplies 100 Polish workers for the pottery firms Wade, Steelite and Dudson, believes more Eastern Europeans will soon join North Staffordshire's manufacturing industry. He said: "Manufacturing firms do tend to struggle to recruit workers for a variety of reasons and the work ethic of eastern Europeans makes them an excellent alternative."

Earlier this year Congleton-based Airbags International, the world's largest producer of inflatable safety devices, took on 46 Polish production operatives while distribution firm Total Home Entertainment has taken on 50 South African workers.

Bryan Carnes, chief executive of the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NSCCI), said: "Businesses are struggling to recruit semi-skilled and skilled workers and are therefore bringing in workers from other countries.

"There has never been so many people in employment in the region, companies are competing for labour and there is the danger of putting pressure on increased wage rates. It's not a good thing for employers but it is for the economy."

The survey was carried out by NSCCI and accountancy firm Baker Tilly. The findings revealed that out of the 77 per cent of manufacturing firms attempting to recruit in the last three months, 80 per cent have experienced difficulties.

Recruitment agency Advance Personnel, which has helped firms such as Nantwich food manufacturer Primebake to overcome labour shortages by using foreign workers, believes it is a good solution to the problem.

It provides more than 450 foreign workers for manufacturing and distribution firms in the region. The agency mainly brings in workers from Portugal and Poland.

Andrew Wragg, spokesman for the agency, said: "We started looking at foreign workers as an option after experiencing difficulties in recruiting locally, particularly when in volume, and now it is virtually impossible."

Stoke-on-Trent mayor Mike Wolfe said: "The fact that adult unemployment is very low in the area is actually a good thing. It demonstrates that the economy is beginning to take off. If we have work here for overseas people, they will give us their skills and we can build links with them to continue when they leave."

Since the expansion of the EU in May there has been enhanced opportunities for nationals of the new member states, with the majority coming from eastern European countries like Poland.

Primebake has taken on 100 temporary Polish workers and human resources manager Helen Steadman says the company is considering making some of the jobs full-time. The Polish workers now account for almost a third of the workforce.

Ms Steadman said: "We haven't been able to get the right calibre of people for the business. Since we began using Polish staff we have had more continuity of employment, with people on the same shifts for longer time periods. They have been well worth the investment."