HUNDREDS of people packed Accrington Town Hall to witness Hyndburn's first multi-denominational civic service.
The traditional church service was swapped for a ceremony which catered for people of all creeds, colour and age, at the request of Muslim Mayor, Coun Mirza Yousaf.
The congregation enjoyed readings from the Koran, Christian prayers and songs from Muslim children from Hyndburn mosques and pupils at St Anne's and St Joseph's Primary, Accrington.
The service followed a parade which started at Benjamin Hargreaves School, Barnfield Street, and weaved through the streets to the town centre.
Coun Mirza Yousaf, the Mayor of Hyndburn, was joined by fellow councillors, Hyndburn MP Greg Pope, the Royal British Legion, the police and special constabulary and a host of other community groups.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article