Polish workers are enduring "Dickensian sweatshop" conditions at an Oxfordshire salad packing factory, according to the trade union Unite.

Adrian Jones, of Unite, is representing two former employees of Just Prepared, at the Bicester Distribution Park, who say they were dismissed when they spoke out against their treatment.

However, the firm's owner Barry Spencer said one of the two was sacked for theft, and the man's girlfriend had resigned. Other Polish workers who spoke to the Oxford Mail confirmed Mr Spencer's version of events.

The issue has divided workers at the factory, with most staff backing their boss, while others supported the two staff who have left.

Unite, which became involved when the pair told their story to a Polish newspaper, has claimed employment and health and safety laws have been breached.

Mr Jones said the case was evidence of the routine abuse of migrant workers in the UK.

He added: "It is Dickensian, more in line with the 19th century than the 21st, and another case of the sweatshop abuse of migrant workers."

Mr Spencer was today holding talks with Unite officials, but earlier this week, before the detailed allegations were revealed, he said: "If my staff are being abused, why do they recommend their friends and family to come over to work here?"