A UNIQUE interfaith appeal to aid refugees in stricken areas of war-torn Afghanistan was launched today.

The appeal, which will run between the Islamic commemoration of Hajj on February 22 and the Christian festival Easter on March 31, will fund work by Save the Children in Harat, in north-west Afghanistan.

Blackburn MP and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw has backed the appeal. He met with the representatives last month to offer advice and guidance.

It is the first time in the borough all faiths have combined to help one cause. A series of events is planned throughout the fundraising period.

Harat is the emergency home of some 350,000 refugees, trying to survive the bitter winter without adequate shelter or salvation.

In a joint statement, the Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, Coun Salim Mulla, chairman of the borough's Interfaith Council, and the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Coun John Williams, said: "We are asking every school, pub, club, office, factory and place of worship to help us during the collection period and send us the money as soon as possible.

"We are appealing to all sections of our community to come together to raise money for the suffering people of Afghanistan.

"We feel a certain solidarity between our own borough and the people of Afghanistan. It is not a political solidarity but a human solidarity."

The statement goes on to add that Blackburn with Darwen is not a rich area although the poverty suffered by East Lancashire residents in no way related to the homelessness and helplessness of the Afghan people.

It went on: "We hope and pray that our combined generosity will go some way to helping these needy people, especially the children, so that they might remember our generosity as they survive to build a more confident future."

All cheques should be made out to The Blackburn with Darwen Afghanistan Appeal and can be sent to Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA.