RACIAL harassment officer Solat Chaudhry says he is hoping to recruit volunteers to help fight racism, just days after starting his new job.

Mr Chaudhry, who covers the Blackburn and Darwen areas for the Blackburn Racial Equality Council, hopes that students and unemployed graduates will undertake a structured training programme which will equip them with a working knowledge of community work.

He said: "Volunteers will gain valuable work experience. "We will also offer structured training areas such as oral and written communication, development of interpersonal skills and legislation."

He said volunteers would be actively involved in victim support.

He added that his primary aim was to urge people to report racial harassment.

"No matter how trivial the incident is, it should be reported.

"It is important, and every person's duty to the community, to report incidents in order to work towards safeguarding people from encountering similar problems.

No one should feel they have to put up with racial harassment, no matter what colour or race they are."

Volunteers can contact Mr Chaudhry on 01254 261924 or 0973 664729 (mobile).

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