THE chairman and vice-chairman of an East Lancashire racial harmony organisation have resigned.

And today members demanded root-and-branch changes in the way the Blackburn with Darwen Racial Equality Council is run.

Chairman Dr Salim Najia and his number two Janaid Qureshi will remain on the REC's executive, which is to hold a special meeting next Thursday.

A spokesman for the REC said: "I can confirm that they have resigned, but I cannot really comment further until the executive committee meets. There is a lot going on here"

Dr Najia commented: "I am not prepared to discuss this for the time being, except to say I have resigned for personal reasons."

Mr Qureshi said they would both remain on the executive.

He added : "It would be premature for me to say anything until a full inquiry at REC is over. A number of things are happening there.

"The REC has done a lot of valuable work, and it is important that this must continue."

A member of the REC's executive, who did not wish to be named, said: "The members of the REC feel that it needs modernising in its structure and must now address all the issues facing today's minority groups in a multi-cultural society.

"It must deal with race discrimination in employment and public services, but it must also tackle domestic violence, runaway kids, forced marriages, social and religious intolerance and many other challenges.

"Members have asked for a new constitution embracing all minority communities."

Last month a member of the REC's staff in Blackburn was sacked and another reprimanded after a fight broke out in its offices in St John's Place.

The REC is part-funded by Blackburn with Darwen Council. The council's executive member for citizens and consumer rights, Coun Maureen Bateson, said the council's grant to the REC for April 1 to September 30 was £11,025.

She said: "Blackburn with Darwen Council has a 'service level agreement' with the Racial Equality Council with regards to funding, as it does with many other voluntary organisations across Blackburn and Darwen.

"This type of funding only continues if the organisation concerned is meeting its obligations under the agreement.

"In this first half of the current municipal year, April 1 to the end of September, the council's grant to the REC was £11,025."

The organisation is also funded by the Commission for Racial Equality and the National Lotteries Charities Board.

The REC in Blackburn was set up to promote racial equality following the 1976 Race Relations Act.