ABOUT 150 people took part in a peaceful march to demand answers over the death of a man in custody.

Family and friends said the peaceful protest was a memorial to Nadeem Khan, 28, who died after being taken ill in the cells at Burnley police station a week earlier.

They set off from the Ghausia Centre, Abel Street, at around 1.30pmon Saturday, and marched into the town centre to the police station, where Daneshouse Councillor Wajid Khan read a list of questions to Superintendent Neil Smith, and family members laid flowers on the steps.

Mr Khan's mother Brenda Smith had signed herself out of hospital, where she was receiving cancer treatment, to take part.

Ahead of the protest, organisers told anyone planning to make trouble at the march to "go home" and respect Mr Khan's family.

Burnley MP Kitty Ussher told the crowd she had joined the march to show solidarity with the community, and that she would ensure that their views were represented.

Mr Khan, who was known as Dean, was arrested after police received reports of a man in Burnley Road, Brierfield, attacking cars and homes - and leaving a trail of his own blood.

Dean's cousin, Shiraz Khan, who organised the march, said the group had achieved all its objectives that day, but that the fight to find out what had happened before he died would go on.

The family is trying to raise cash to cover legal advice, as well as £3,000 to pay for a second post mortem examination.

They said they were dissatisfied with the outcome of the first investigation, which showed that Mr Khan, who was from the Witton area of Blackburn, had no serious injuries and was not ill, though made no conclusions about how he died.

Shiraz Khan said: "We are going to carry this on until the end.

"I'm pretty sure we will find out what happened eventually because we're not going to give up.

"Most people are here for Dean and to get the message across that things like this can't be brushed under the carpet.

"He was a well-respected person and he was a really great guy. If you were stuck somewhere you could give him a call and no matter where you were, he'd be there.

"He had a heart of gold and everybody's absolutely devastated that he's gone, but we have done him proud today."

Dean's brother Jason Hogg added: "We have to find out what happened.

"I can't even begin to grieve until we find out what has gone on."

Coun Khan handed police a list of questions including what measures had been taken to keep Dean safe, and whether he had been given his full rights after his arrest.

Supt Smith said police would not be able to comment on the case until the Independent Police Complaints Commission had finished its investigation.

He said: "I will continue to speak with important community contacts to provide you with all the relevant information as it is passes back to me.

"I would like to pass my condolences to the family, friends and members of the community who have turned out here."