EAST Lancashire Muslims are expected to celebrate Eid in a low-key manner as the festival begins today after a month of fasting during Ramadhan.

Hundreds of people are expected to descend on hotspots, including Whalley Range, in Blackburn, and Colne Road, in Burnley, as people break their fasts.

During the month of Ramadhan, Muslims cannot eat, drink, or smoke, from dawn until dusk, if they are fit and able to do so.

Revellers are being urged not to have ‘extravagant’ celebrations because of the current humanitarian disaster in flood-hit Pakistan.

East Lancashire’s Muslim Global Relief, based in Nelson, has raised more than £100,000 during Ramadhan.

Charity boss Mohammed Bashir said: “A lot of people are going to be toning down things a little this year and trying to donate even more to humanitarian efforts.

“We have been very pleased with the response so far, but we are worried about the coming weeks and months when the disaster goes out of the news.

"People will still be in dire need.”