CELEBRATIONS designed to unite Bury's Asian community descended into acrimony and anger as rival factions confronted each other.

And a police officer, who was a guest at the event in Bury's mayoral parlour, was forced to intervene keep them apart.

Trouble flared minutes after the Pakistan flag was hoisted above the town hall on Tuesday (Aug 14) to celebrate the 54th anniversary of the country's independence.

The flag had been brought by Mr Liaqat Ali, chairman of Bury's Islamic Centre, who says he has organised the annual event for a number of years.

Mr Ali, former chairman of Bury Racial Equality Council (BREC) who last year was handed down a lifetime ban by the organisation, then discovered a party representing BREC in the mayor's parlour, including director Mr Khalid Hussain. Commenting on the incident, Mr Ali said: "There was swearing, pushing and shoving. As far as I was concerned, this BREC party had gatecrashed my event and shouldn't have been there.

"I've always organised the flag hoisting. I blame the mayor for allowing them to come into his parlour."

Around 20 Asian dignitaries and religious leaders were in the room, along with the mayor, Councillor Paul Nesbit, when the trouble broke out.

Inspector Paul Crosbie, Bury's community affairs officer who was a guest, kept both sides apart.

He said a "minor dispute" had taken place but added that the incident did not warrant any arrests.

Insp Crosbie added: "There was a bit of pushing and shoving between several people.

"What is upsetting is the fact that a dispute took place in front of the mayor in his parlour. I am disappointed with those involved."

A town hall spokesman said that the mayor subsequently spoke with representatives of both sides involved in the dispute.

Dr Mohammed Salim, BREC chairman, commented: "We deplore any sort of violence and it was a shameful incident."