‘DO not let their deaths be in vain’ was the message issued by a council leader after 250 people were urged to self-isolate after attending a large funeral.

Those who had attended the Jamia Ghosia mosque, based on Chester Street in Blackburn, on July 13, were last weekend asked to self-isolate after the imam there tested positive for the coronavirus.

Now council bosses have spoken out, stating they are working directly with the mosque to figure out what their ‘next steps’ will be.

Council leader, Cllr Mohammed Khan said: “I feel it’s my duty to remind residents that sadly at the start of this pandemic, three well known and well respected local imams died from coronavirus.

“There have been a number of our borough’s residents who have sadly also lost their lives due to this deadly virus.

“Their families and loved ones have been left devastated by their deaths and my heart goes out to them all. Their sad and untimely deaths should not be in vain.

“Their passing should serve as a warning about the very real dangers and the severity of COVID-19 but also as a very clear reasoning for limiting funeral and wedding guest numbers to a maximum of 30 people."

Police have said they are not investigating the incident as it is a public health issue.