Over 100 languages spoken in this town

London: It could be the town that speaks the most languages in the country.

In Milton Keynes, the local council has to provide translations for at least 100 different tongues, including obscure West African and Indian dialects.

Critics say the scale of the language service in the Buckinghamshire new town, is a graphic demonstration of the impact of immigration on life in towns and cities across the UK.

They want the growth of translation services to be curbed to save public money and argue that officials should be providing less help to those who decline to learn English.

The Milton Keynes Community Language Service, run by the town's council, has seen the number of interpreters it uses multiply 15-fold over the past decade, officials said on Saturday. It has 300 under contract.

While ten years ago it was thought enough to provide interpreters for speakers of 12 languages, there are now 105 available, including related services such as sign language for the deaf and braille. Languages and dialects on offer include Twi, the second largest language in Ghana; Telugu, spoken in India; and Yoruba, used in Nigeria.

A further 20 interpreters are being recruited and the centre plans to add Pashto, an Afghan language, by the end of the year.

24-hour service

The centre provides a 24-hour service that is often free to immigrants helping them understand housing, health, police and legal matters in Milton Keynes and the neighbouring towns.

All have seen large-scale immigration in recent years. Most local authority translation services are a heavy burden on the taxpayer. The Local Government Association says they are one of four key extra costs faced by local government because of high immigration.