AROUND 500 people took part in a march in Bury to mark a special occasion in the Muslim religious calendar.

They were part of the town’s sixth annual procession to celebrate the birthday of the holy prophet, Muhammad, marching from the Islamic Centre to Wellington Road and back on Sunday.

The procession, headed by Qari Muhammad Khan and Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, was accompanied by Cllr Trevor Holt, many local people and children.

At the end, marchers gathered in the Islamic Centre where prayers were said for peace in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria.