THE man credited with bringing stability to Bury Racial Equality Council (BREC) has received a special token of appreciation from his peers.

And the move coincided with Dr Mohammed Salim stepping down from the racial equality body after five years as chairman.

He has been presented with a specially engraved silver salver from his colleagues on the Bury REC management board. Making the award was current president of the organisation Bury mayor Councillor John Smith.

Dr Salim, who was awarded the MBE for his services to the community in the Queen's Honours List in 2001, was a founder of Bury Community Relations Council, the forerunner of the REC.

A qualified chemist, the father-of-five, who lives in Heaton Court, Bury, emigrated to the UK from Mirpur Azad Kashmir at the age of eight. He came to live in Bury in 1976 and has played an active part in a number of ethnic minority affairs both here and in Oldham .

When he took over the chairmanship of BREC, the racial body was beset by various divisions within the Asian community. But under his tenure, the organisation has enjoyed a period of stability.

BREC director Mr Khalid Hussain said: "When Dr Salim became chairman in 1997, things were quite turbulent and difficult. But under his chairmanship, these problems have been resolved.

"The REC management board decided to present him with the silver salver in recognition of the contribution he has made to the organisation.

"There were around 20 guests at the presentation function held at the Mayor's Parlour and we wished him all the best for the future."

In a speech to the gathering, Dr Salim thanked his colleagues and wished his successor Dr M.I. Qureshi well in his post as chairman.

Honorary secretary, Mr Sam Cohen commented: "We felt it appropriate at the end of Dr Salim's five years that we should make some recognition of his period as chairman."