MUSLIM community leaders in Bury have pleaded for order and greater racial harmony following the killing of taxi driver Tariq Javed.

The call was delivered to around 2,000 mainly Asian mourners who gathered in the town yesterday for the funeral of the 48-year-old father-of-four who died earlier this month.

Twenty of his colleagues from Peel Cars followed the funeral cortege in taxis in a slow procession as the hearse, bearing Mr Javed's coffin, was driven to the town's athletic track in Market Street for the emotionally-charged service.

At the same time, a convoy of around 75 taxis arrived at the town's Gigg Lane from Cheetham Hill with the mourners then making the short journey by foot for the 90-minute funeral.

Mr Javed, of Richard Burch Street, was killed when his own taxi was allegedly driven over him.

Among the mourners were a number of Muslim dignitaries, including Pakistan Vice Consul Jamil Ahmed, representatives from the police and local authority and Bury North MP David Chaytor. Speaking at the funeral on behalf of the family Mr Haroon Zaman, ex-director of the former Community Relations Council in Bury, told the gathering: "I am absolutely taken aback by the support we have had."

He added: "It is this community's loss. It is this town's loss. It is the Pakistan community's loss. The town has lost a dear one. The town is mourning.

"We are united in grief. But we must maintain our order. On behalf of the family, I have been asked to thank everybody. We will see the deceased respectfully to his grave."

Imam Allama Qari Mohammed Khan of Bury Islamic Centre, where Mr Javed had worshipped, led the prayers.

Later he said: "We should learn to live with each other and live in harmony. We have got to make sure this incident is never repeated."

He hoped Mr Javed's death had taught everyone "a valuable lesson" and continued: "We can't afford to have these kinds of incidents repeated.

"It only causes tension and hostility among the cultures and it is only the innocent who suffer.

"The death of Tariq Javed has affected his whole family, particularly his four children. The death of an individual is not the loss of one life -- it destroys the lives of everyone associated with the deceased and who will never forget this incident."

Close to tears, Mr Javed's brother Asif addressed the mourners briefly but was forced to stop when he became visibly overcome by emotion.

Later, the 2,000 mourners filed past the coffin which had been placed under a canopy for protection against the torrential rain.

Afterwards, close family and friends followed the hearse to the nearby Bury Cemetery for the burial.

Mr Khalid Hussain, director of Bury Racial Equality Council: said: "This is a sad day for the community."

Two Bury men have already appeared before magistrates charged with Mr Javed's murder.