IT HAS now been just over one year since the first asylum seekers sought refuge on the Hag Fold Estate in Atherton. Many arrived here on their own -- not knowing a soul -- from war torn countries like Kosovo and Albania. Most were unable to speak a word of English. During the past year some have moved on to other parts of the country, others have moved into private accommodation and one couple has even got married and had a baby. This week The Journal takes a look at what difficulties the asylum seekers have had to overcome this year and how they are coping with life in Atherton.

JEAN Ensor has been working closely with the asylum seekers since the first group of 12 arrived on December 15, 1999.

The Wigan Council worker, who is called a cluster management officer, said the programme was so successful the numbers had now grown to 31 refugees.

She said: "When they first arrived we had 19 houses allocated for them but since then several have become vacant. After six months of living here they became eligible for work permits and 10 moved down to London to work.

"Two lads have also moved off the estate and into privately rented accommodation elsewhere in Atherton. They have got jobs and are now self sufficient, paying their own bills.

"There generally hasn't been any xenophobia on the estate and it has been mostly trouble-free."

"We had nine new arrivals on January 3 and some the week before. A family is arriving this week with a three-month-old baby."

Three young asylum seekers agreed to share their experiences of the past year with The Journal. Life has now settled into a routine for Agron Gashi, 21, and Petrit Cepa, 22, and Ali Barsami, 20. They have already successfully overcome one major difficulty -- when they arrived they were unable to speak English but now speak the language fluently.

Agron said: "For three days each week I get English lessons at the Hag Fold Community Centre."

He arrived nine months ago from Kosovo, travelling illegally in the back of a lorry with some cousins.

All three are currently finding it difficult to find work although they are all desperate to be employed. Petrit was a taxi driver when he lived in Kosovo and since his arrival in Atherton has spent a few months doing temporary work.

Petrit said: "I do not have a licence to drive a taxi here."

Agron will also have to do further training if he wants to continue with the occupation he had in Kosovo. He was a fork lift truck driver before he had to flee the country for fear of persecution. "They thought I was in the army although I wasn't."

Ali was a student in his home country Albania and now spends a lot of his time at the community centre. He said: "I am hoping to do a computer course."

The men admitted they found unemployment "boring" and often stretch shopping trips to the local supermarket so they last half a day to fill in the time.

Agron said: "We watch a lot of television and we are always in each others houses visiting one another. I really want to find a job. I do not care what it is, I just want to work."

The three men did not know each other before reaching England but have since become firm friends and the asylum seekers on the estate have become a tight knit community. Petrit said: "I have also got some friends in Wigan and we have got to know some English people on the estate."

Over the summer the men enjoyed games of football with English Hag Fold residents and participated in other sports. They are all appreciative of the peace they have discovered in England. "Here it is very quiet," said Petrit. "There was so much damage caused by the war in Kosovo.

"We get a lot of help here that we we would not get at home. When we came over we got accommodation and help."

Jean said there had been a bit of friction on the estate when the young men found English girlfriends -- but there had not been any serious problems and they had made many friends.

They all agreed they missed their families. Ali and Petrit arrived in England completely on their own and have not had any contact with relatives for months.

Petrit said: "I miss my family. It is four months since I spoke with them. It is hard to get in touch with them.

"I want to go back home when it is quiet."