A MAJOR report into Burnley's progress since the riots of five years ago is set to be launched tomorrow.

The report, Burnley the Real Story, has been produced by Burnley Action Partnership (BAP) and charts the town's progress across health, education, community and safety and other key aspects of life in the borough.

It is expected to show that more than half of the town's population some 52 per cent still think Burnley is a place where people from different backgrounds cannot get on.

The report will also highlight the work of groups such as Building Bridges in Burnley, the multi-faith group, and Breaking Barriers in Burnley, a pioneering youth organisation dedicated to promoting unity among young people.

It will be launched at a conference at Burnley Football Club's Turf Moor ground. The conference will discuss social and community cohesion and will feature speakers including Lord Tony Clarke, who chaired the Task Force into the disturbances in 2001; Ros Lynch from the government's Neighbourhood Renewal Unit; Burnley Mayor Coun Mohammad Najib; Daniel Gillen, Burnley's Youth MP and representatives from the voluntary and faith sectors; business and agencies working in Burnley.

Burnley was rocked by three days of riots in June 2001 when more than 200 white and Asian youths rampaged through the town.

Shops and cars were destroyed during the violence and the Duke of York pub, Duke Bar, was gutted in an arson attack.

There were also disturbances in Oldham and Bradford.