MUSLIMS from across the country will walk through Blackburn tomorrow to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

The event has been held for 30 years and this year's will include tributes to an important Sufi Muslim spiritual leader, the late Mohammed Aslam.

Up to 10,000 people are expected for the holy march through the town, with celebrations speeches and meals, said spokesman Sufi Mohammed Rashid, of Pringle Street Mosque.

"People will be coming from everywhere, from Glasgow to London. There will be coaches from all over the country. This is a big event. There could be between 8,000 and 10,000 people.

"The walk starts at Oak Street and continues through Whalley Range, Barbara Castle Way, Eanam, Chester Street and Audley Range, to the Cutchi Muslim Association Hall, known as the Aminah Hall, at Newton Street.

"Part of the event will take place in honour of the late Hazrat Sufi Mohammed Aslam."

He said Mohammed Aslam was a key spiritual leader in the Sufi Muslim community, who moved to Blackburn the 1980s and died in 1999.

Mr Rashid emphasised the procession was a purely religious occasion with no political aims.

He said the march begins at 1pm, but events take place throughout the day from 10am to 10pm.

Similar processions are held in other East Lancashire towns to mark Mohammed's birth.