A MOTHER-OF-SIX whose disappearance sparked a murder inquiry had her body cut up after she was killed, police believe.

The revelation came as police continued there search in Accrington and Manchester for clues about the disappearance of Zeinab Begum.

And an East Lancashire Muslim leader called on the community to help police find her body.

Mrs Begum, 56, of Burnley Road, Accrington, has been missing from home since January 13.

Her son-in-law Mohammed Arshad, 36, of Crumpsall, Manchester, has appeared before Hyndburn magistrates charged with her murder.

Yesterday, another son-in-law, Mohammed Khan, 37, also of Crumpsall, appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged with assisting in the disposal of parts of her body.

Following the arrest of Mohammed Arshad police searched the Millennium takeaway in Church Street, Accrington, which he owns.

The takeaway is shut, and an answering machine message tells customers the the closure is down to an electrical fault.

It has also emerged that Arshad is an employee of Hollands Pies based in Baxenden.

Arshad has worked full-time in the meat processing plant for just under a year, and police have been to the factory to search his personal locker.

Managing director Graham March said that Arshad had been an "OK" employee.

Mr March confirmed police had carried out searches at the factory.

He said: "We have co-operated fully with the police in their inquiries. As far as we are concerned he was an OK employee. He would have been supervised no more and no less than any other employee."

According to Muslim tradition, a body should be buried as soon as possible after death.

Blackburn with Darwen councillor Salim Mulla, secretary of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: "I would urge all sections of the community, not just the Muslim parts, that if they have any information about Mrs Begum, then they should come forward.

"This would allow the family to be at ease, and for her to be buried straight away, which is very important in the Muslim religion."

In Muslim countries the dead are usually buried within hours of passing away. In East Lancashire the health authority and coroner's office work with the large Muslim community to help with such burials.

Coun Mulla said: "If you cannot find the body then you are not in a position to make a decision. It is only when a body is found that you can safely say that person has passed away."

The full charge faced by Mohammed Khan, 37, of Middleton Road, Crumpsall, is that between January 13 and January 28 at Accrington and elsewhere he assisted in the disposal of human body parts of Zeinad Begum with intent to impede the arrest or prosecution of Mohammed Arshad, who had committed the offence of murder.

He appeared before Blackburn magistrates and was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court where he will appear on February 11.

Mohammed Arshad will make another appearance before Hyndburn magistrates before his case is also sent to the Crown Court.