The New Year sees wide-ranging reform coming into effect in Poland, as part of its transition from communist rule to membership of the European Union.

The state's health, education and pension systems are all being opened up to market forces.

The changes have prompted protests in recent months, particularly from miners, who say their pensions are under threat, and health workers seeking new pay deals from the government.

The BBC Warsaw Correspondent says although the Polish economy was the fastest growing in central Europe in 1998, the government faces huge social challenges in the new year, with thousands of jobs likely to be lost in heavy industries.