POLICE are warning the Muslim community to put safety first during this year's Eid celebrations.

Lancashire Constabulary has launched a campaign warning of the dangers of speeding and reckless driving during the annual festival.

The campaign was first launched a couple of years ago after complaints about a minority of Asians -- mainly young men -- driving irresponsibly over the three-day celebrations. East Lancashire was one of the main areas of complaint.

Al Yusuf, business development officer for Lancashire Constabulary, said: "It is a small minority, who are mainly of young people who cause problems.

"They hire cars for the day, decorate them with national flags and drive around. We have experienced problems with excessive use of the horn in the past and dangerous driving.

"It is only a small minority but it is a problem."

Mr Yusuf said East Lancashire was a main area for the disturbances due to its high concentration of Muslims.

He said high-visible policing could be deployed during this year's festival -- December 15, 16 and 17.

He said: "It is like any other high-profile celebration, we will be aware if there is a need for high-visible policing in certain areas, and East Lancashire will be one of those."

Chief Inspector Val Prince, road policing co-ordinator, said : "We have a proven problem in parts of East Lancashire where Eid celebrations are concentrated.

"While we don't want to spoil anyone's celebrations, we want people to understand why we have become so concerned about the irresponsible actions of a minority and hope they will take our safer driving message on board."

Dangerous driving -- not just over the Eid period -- were responsible for 65 fatal accidents in Lancashire, 1,014 serious injuries and 6,876 slight casualties. One in three road deaths is speed related.