PRIME MINISTER Tony Blair has backed a Burnley initiative to bring Muslim and Christian communities together two years after racial disturbances in the town.

And he has attacked extremists who peddle "disastrous misconceptions" about immigrants.

He spoke out after Burnley MP Peter Pike raised the issue at Prime Minister's Questions.

Mr Pike said: "It is two years ago since we had the disturbances in Burnley.

"Last week we celebrated the first annual general meeting of the 'Building Bridges' project set up between the Muslim faith and the Christian faith in Burnley.

"Will you endorse the fact that it is communities working together and the government working with the council that will solve the problem for towns like Burnley in this country and not the extremists who cause divisions wherever they go?"

Mr Blair replied: "You are absolutely right that the Building Bridge project has been successful in trying to get better community relations.

"You were also right in saying that those who advocate extremism or want to turn their anger on people who are immigrants, do absolutely nothing for community relations, nothing for their own communities and peddle disastrous misconception and misrepresentation."