LIBERAL Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy has backed a Blackburn-born solicitor's bid to become the region's first Asian Euro-MP when he stands at this year's European elections.

Sajad Karim, 33, would also be the first member of the European Parliament from East Lancashire and the party's first ethnic minority MEP if he wins a seat at the vote in June.

Mr Karim, who is a partner at Marsdens Solicitors in Manchester Road, Nelson, said victory in June would be a huge boost to the image of the area and would help counter the view of the region as divisive following the success of the British National Party in recent local elections.

The married father-of-two, who was born in Blackburn, brought up in Brierfield and now lives in Simonstone, is currently busy on the campaign trail with running mate Chris Davies, who already holds a North West seat.

Mr Karim, Mr Davies and Mr Kennedy believe that winning a second North West seat is possible as, in the last Euro-elections, the party was just 20,000 votes short of achieving this.

The LibDem leader is to head to the North West - and East Lancashire in particular - to support Mr Karim's campaign.

Mr Kennedy said: "Sajad will be an excellent MEP and will represent everybody in the North West.

"He would be the first Liberal Democrat ethnic-minority Parliamentarian and hopefully the first of many.''

Mr Karim said: "I believe as number two on the LibDem list I can become a Euro-MP and will represent everybody in the North West but my particular knowledge of East Lancashire ensures that their concerns will be represented in Brussels.

"But I want not just to tackle the problems of the region, but trumpet its assets and attractions as well.''

Mr Davies said: "Sajad has all the attributes of an excellent MEP and I am sure, if elected, he will serve the people of the North West very capably.

"We need someone who can represent the views and concerns of the many ethnic minority communities in the North West.''

Sajad moved to Brierfield when he was three and attended Walter Street infants and junior school before going on to Mansfield High and Nelson and Colne College.

He took a degree at London University and a law course in Chester before returning to East Lancashire to train with SFN in Burnley. He set up his own practice three years ago.

Politics is not a new venture for Sajad who was a councillor in Brierfield for eight years before he retired when he moved to Simonstone with his wife, Zahida, also 33, and children Bilal, 4 and Rabia, one-and-a-half.

He said: "When I wasn't based in Nelson I decided to retire from the council and I was quite surprised when that was taken without any question.

"However, something was obviously happening behind the scenes because I got a call out of the blue asking if I would stand as a candidate for the European elections.

"I think I have a good chance of getting in and, if I do, it would send out a very positive message to show the diversity that exists in the North West and that that is the future face of Britain."

The European elections will take place on June 10.