An East Lancashire local authority leader has praised his borough's residents for rejecting 'hate and Islamophobia' in the wake of the Southport stabbings.

Burnley Council's political boss Cllr Afrasiab Anwar revealed the government has asked its officers to take part in a national learning exercise into the nationwide far-right riots which followed the July 29 incident in which three young girls died.

He told the borough's Full Council meeting on Wednesday night: "The violence we witnessed across the UK last month was deeply concerning.

"I would like to put on record my gratitude to all the police officers who kept us safe during those difficult times.

"Sadly, some officers were injured, and I do wish them a speedy recovery.

"Although we escaped violence locally, we witnessed a lot of fear and anxiety locally as well as several heinous provocations (that included the desecration of Muslim graves at Burnley cemetery and the mural at Valley Street Community Centre).

"However, I was proud of how our communities came together to combat the hate and Islamophobia to send a clear message that there is no place for such racism and anarchy in our borough.

"I would like to thank the officers at the council who worked closely with our communities and the police to provide the requisite reassurance and timely communications that were essential at the time.

"I am pleased our officers have been invited to provide their contributions to the Local Government Association and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to help inform the national recovery and learning from the period of national unrest.

"Along with the Mayor, our MP, and chief executive, it was a privilege to attend the Bubbles in the Park Event organised by the community, Park Rangers, and Cllr Lubna Khan supported by various elected members on September 15.

"Despite the torrential rainfall, huge crowds attended the event to send a clear message that Burnley is saddened by the heinous murder of the three innocent girls in Southport and there is no room for division in our brilliant borough."