Meet the people call to racial equality bosses

Protesters gathered outside the Accrington office of the Hyndburn and Rossendale Racial Equality Council on Wednesday night while a steering committee meeting to discuss its future went on behind closed doors.

They believe that the amalgamation of local racial equality councils to make one main body covering the whole of East Lancashire will put pressure on race relations and alienate ethic minorities.

And they claim that the steering committee's plans to consult local people, groups and organisations by writing will not work.

Mazhar Hussein, founder chair of Hyndburn and Rossendale Racial Equality Council, said: "There is still a lot of work to do at close quarters with members of the community. Sitting in offices, having meetings and writing letters does not help anybody. "Racial Equality workers need to be out in the community meeting people, finding out about their needs and problems. Closing local offices would be disastrous."

Mr Hussein and his supporters are concerned that older generations of Asian families still need help and support to adjust to their environment in East Lancashire.

And he claims that even younger people who were born here are following the example of their parents and grandparents and remaining segregated from the wider community.

He said: "I have not been involved with the REC since 1984 but people still come and knock on my door for help and advice. They should be going to the REC, but if they feel it is unapproachable they will not go. Things will get worse if there is only one office for the whole of East Lancashire.

"The trouble is people may find it difficult to write to complain about the plans to close the offices. If workers get out into the community and ask what people want they will soon see they need local services."

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