PILGRIMS completing the Hajj later this year were given advice from the NHS, police and fire service to make sure their journey is a safe one.

An event, supported by the Lancashire Council of Mosques, was held at Building Bridges, Elm Street, Burnley, yesterday.

There was a safety presentation followed by a question and answer session.

The presentation was designed to address safety issues and raise awareness to those members of the community who will be embarking on the potentially once in a lifetime journey.

The event was opened by Community Protection Manager John Phethean of the Fire & Rescue Service and Superintendent Bob Eastwood, head of Lancashire Constabulary’s Community Cohesion and Diversity Unit.

Each year more than 7,000 Muslims travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for Hajj from Lancashire to perform the annual pilgrimage.

Faz Patel, from the Lancashire Fire Service, said: “The Hajj Project will greatly benefit the Muslim community in Lancashire, and across the country, making a big difference in terms of safety issues.”