WORSENING relations between India and Pakistan over the long-standing Kashmir dispute came under the spotlight at a special Eid celebration party.

Around 170 guests, drawn from the borough's ethnic community, attended the event at the Jinnah Day Care Centre in Bury.

Guests of honour was the Consul General of Pakistan, Ayaz Wazir and Bury's mayor and mayoress, Councillor and Mrs Paul Nesbit.

A number of guests gave addresses concentrating on the current tense stand-off between India and Pakistan.

Jinnah manager Jawaid Iqbal said: "Speakers chose the topic of the current situation in Kashmir and the Indian sub-continent. "Many welcomed the intervention of Tony Blair and America's Colin Powell and their efforts relating to the crisis involving India and Pakistan and the dispute over Kashmir."

He added: "Nothing will compensate for the grief many of these people have going through.

"But they can take some comfort from the fact they are not suffering alone. We urge our own Government to address the issue and for the United Nations to find a solution to this very old dispute."

In his speech, Mr Wazir said he wanted to see the prolonged Kashmir question resolved according to United Nations resolutions.

Guests who attended the Eid party, which celebrated the end of Ramadan, also enjoyed a meal.

Bury North MP David Chaytor has also visited the Jinnah centre to brief Mr Iqbal on the latest developments relating to the Kashmir situation.