THE man who has spearheaded the drive for better race relations in East Lancashire for a quarter of a century will retire next month.

Aziz Chaudhry steps down as director of Burnley and Pendle Racial Equality Council at a time when it is in the grip of internal turmoil.

But despite the unrest and political in-fighting which has reached new heights in recent months, the man in the middle trying to keep peace, believes the REC has played a vital and worthwhile role promoting race harmony in the community and will continue to do so.

Mr Chaudhry, 60, says the present turmoil within the council is part of the development process of the organisation.

"Good leadership is required to enable the council to mature and settle down.

"Within the community a tremendous amount of progress has been made in the promotion of racial harmony over many years and I am very confident for the future." A father of three, Mr Chaudhry was appointed to head the local community relations council in 1973, after spending three years as an assistant community relations officer in Blackburn.

As the area's first full-time officer, he led the development of the Racial Equality Council, creating links with all aspects of the community.

At this week's REC executive committee, Pendle council leader Alan Davies thanked Mr Chaudhry for his good work.

"He has held down the worst job in Burnley and Pendle - and done it well.

"He is in a position where he has 25 bosses, all with different views on how he should do his job and has to try to keep them all happy."

Coun Davies said Mr Chaudhry could be proud of his achievements.

Police representatives and other executive members added their thanks and best wishes.

Mr Chaudhry said it was difficult to satisfy everybody because people had different expectations.

He added that his retirement would be total and he had no intention of being further involved in the running of the organisation.

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