HIS Excellency the Portugese Ambassador will visit Thetford this week in recognition of the town's migrant population.

HIS Excellency the Portugese Ambassador will visit Thetford this week in recognition of the town's migrant population.

Antonia Santana Carlos will arrive in the town on Friday to pay tribute to the integration of Portuguese communities in the district.

He will receive presentations from people involved in many of the projects which have been applauded and replicated in many other parts of the country.

There will also be discussions to plan future initiatives to build on the progress made to date.

Executive member for Planning and Housing at Breckland Council, Paul Claussen, said: “Last year we welcomed the Portuguese Consul Mr Macedo Leao and the local Consular representative, Mr Antonio Choca to the district.

“This year's visit further cements and recognises the harmonious community spirit which is present in Breckland.

“I hope that we may be able to establish more common ground and work up plans to embrace different areas of culture.

“Perhaps even resulting in arts and music events, exchange visits or information sharing using digital and social media.”

Between 2005 and 2006 Breckland saw its population grow by more than 1,300 almost entirely because of migration from Poland, Portugal, Lithuania, Latvia and other countries.