MORE than 2,000 people have joined a Facebook group set up in memory of murdered Blackburn man Saheel Ahmed.

The 24-year-old was killed after a chase in Little Harwood last Tuesday and officers are hunting suspect Naeem Majid Butt, 37, of Johnston Street, Blackburn.

The Facebook group has been inundated with members since it was created on Thursday.

On the site it says: “This is a group dedicated to Saheel Ahmed who was taken away from us cruelly and unexpectedly.

"All those who knew him will know he was a decent lad and didn’t deserve what happened. Please feel free to leave comments.”

Community leaders said that Mr Ahmed’s funeral could take place this week with thousands of people expected to attend.

His body has yet to be released by police investigating the killing.

There have so far been no arrests and the murder weapon has not been found.

Police said Butt had links to Edinburgh and may try to travel to Pakistan.

All ports have also been alerted.

Mr Butt is said to have an ‘easily identifiable’ cobra tattoo on his wrist, but officers said members of the public should be ‘sensible and cautious’ and not approach him.

A team of detectives from Lancashire police’s major investigation unit is based in Edinburgh, working with Lothian and Borders police.