ASIAN armed forces veterans who fought in the Second World War met their British comrades to share experiences of the front line.

Ex-servicemen Fazal Hussain, Mohammed Sadiq and Khadim Hussain, all from Blackburn, met Lieutenant Colonel Mike Glover and Colonel John MacLean at Blackburn Museum.

The meeting was part of a joint project between Blackburn Museum and Youth Action, the independent community organisation which aims to motivate and educate young people.

The project is aimed at raising awareness and recognising and recording the contributions and experiences of Asian servicemen.

Fazal Hussain, 84, was in the Royal Army Medical Corps and served in the middle east.

He said: "It was my job to take the injured off the battlefields."

Lt Col Glover, from the Fusiliers Museum in Bury, said: "I think any soldier - whether they are serving in Iraq today or served in the second world war - share experiences. The weapons may have changed but the experiences never change."

Mohammed Sadiq was a petty officer in the Royal India and Pakistan Navy on the RIN Narbada while Khadim Hussain served in the Royal Indian Army Service in north Africa and Italy.

Col MacLean said: "It is fascinating to find these people who served for the king and country."

Blackburn Mayor Dorothy Walsh was also at the meeting and said: "The British Army has always spoken highly of the soldiers from India and Pakistan who fought alongside them in the two world wars.

"However in the wider community the proud record of service by gentlemen such as these has been overlooked. It has become a piece of hidden history'."

Amar Abass, chief executive of Youth Action, said: "This meeting starts phase two of the joint project between Youth Action and Blackburn Museum.

"The project recognises the contributions Asian war veterans made in World War Two because they feel they don't get the recognition for their actions.

Stephen Irwin, education officer of Blackburn Museum, said: "This meeting was just to say thank you to the Asian servicemen who fought and made a contribution to the British war effort during World War Two.

"I am sure there are more of them out there."

If anyone is an Asian war veteran or knows someone who is in the area they are asked to contact Mr Irwin on 01254 667130.