THE brother of a Burnley riot victim is one of a group of volunteers transforming a church garden into a symbol of unity.

Aaron Cotteril's brother Dean was deliberately knocked down during the riots in a hit and run attack that police said was racially motivated.

Officers confirmed the incident but said no one had ever been traced for the offence.

Dean has struggled to come to terms with the accident and has been told by doctors his leg injuries are so bad he will never play sports or be able to enjoy a full life again.

His family also criticised Burnley Task Force, the body set up to examine the causes of the riots, for ignoring his plight.

Council leader Stuart Caddy and Lord Tony Clarke, chairman of the Task Force, have since been in touch with Dean.

Aaron, 21, of Anglesey Avenue, Burnley, is one of a number of Prince's Trust volunteers who have earmarked part of the garden of St Andrew's in Colne Road for their project. The group aims to transform an area of neglected weeds and litter into a garden that reflects the cultural diversity of the town.

Aaron said: "There is no need for anyone in Burnley to be racist. We should be doing things like this to stop racism and bring everyone together.

"I don't want anyone to have to suffer again like my brother has had to suffer."

The garden, will be named Growing Together and feature plants, benches and a tile mosaic.

The Rev Peter Hapgood Strickland, of St Andrew's, said: "They came up with the idea of doing a Muslim garden and they wanted to put it somewhere relevant. They approached me and I've given them a bit of our land."

The group are already well on their way to starting the project, but they still need donations of tools, soil, plants, planters and tiles to help them on their way.

Janet Eaves, a team leader with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service's Prince's Trust Volunteers programmes, said: "We have already had a lot of help from local businesses, but anything else would be gratefully received."