AN East Lancashire racial equality group has urged the governments of the Western world to root out the perpetrators of evil once and for all.

Members of the Blackburn with Darwen Racial Equality Council stood alongside the mayor of Blackburn as the town observed three minutes' silence on Friday.

Jamal Patel, vice-chair of the REC, said: "We in the Blackburn with Darwen REC on behalf of all the affiliated organisations, individuals and law abiding citizens of our society, condemn in totality the recent attacks in America.

"We believe these attacks are against humanity and we stand shoulder to shoulder with all governments through out the world in grief and sorrow.

"We feel that all societies need to come together to root out the cancer of terrorism and its cause, so that global humanity can live in peace and harmony."

Meanwhile, the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Bill Taylor, said: "Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to relatives and friends of those who have been killed or injured.

"Our thoughts are also with any local resident who is still unsure about the whereabouts of relatives or friends in the US at this time.

"A book of condolence is in the foyer of the Town Halls."