COMMUNITY bosses want to create a lasting memorial to Caneze Riaz by naming a key local centre in her honour.

Caneze was killed along with her four daughters in a blaze at their home in Tremellen Street, Accrington, last month.

She was well known throughout the town because of her huge contribution to the community, especially with racial cohesion, children, and work with Asian women.

Now directors at the Scaitcliffe Community Centre, in Hannah Street, where she worked, want to rename the property the Caneze Riaz Community Centre in memory of the family.

Caneze died in the fire with daughters Sayrah, 16, Sophia, 12, Alisha, 10 and Hannah, three. Her husband Mohammed, 49, also died in the fire, police believe that he was responsible for starting the blaze.

The family were survived by eldest son Adam, 17, who is seriously ill with leukaemia. He is undergoing treatment in The Christie Hospital, Manchester.

Munsif Dad, the centre manager and a close friend of Caneze, said the idea of creating a permanent memorial by changing the name of the property was one that would be hugely supported.

He said: "It is a good idea. It would be very popular. It is important to create a permanent memorial to Caneze and her family, for the people who worked with her and knew her.

"She made such a difference in Accrington.

"I'm sure she would feel very honoured to know how highly people thought of her."

The community centre is run by an independent board of directors and a decision on the name change will be discussed at the next board meeting in January.

The community centre was donated to the directors in September 2004 from Lancashire County Council. It provides a base for Hyndburn Cultural Association as well as the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Black and Minority Ethnic Forum. Local residents' associations, Accrington and Rossendale College and the county council all also use the centre.

Caneze, 39, was on the board and a worker for Hyndburn Cultural Association.

Vice chairman of the directors Mohammed Yaseen said: "The possibility of renaming the centre will be discussed at our next meeting.

"We are certainly very keen to create some form of permanent memorial.

"We all really miss her and are trying to come to terms with what happened. She left such a gap in all of her lives, both personally and in the tremendous work she did.

"It is very difficult to cope without her."

Close friend Anayat Mohammed said: "Renaming the centre would be a fitting memorial. It is the hub of the community and the legacy she has left behind through her hard work and commitment must continue."

Hyndburn Council leader Coun Peter Britcliffe said that he backed any move to rename the community centre after the Riaz family.

He said: "She did so much good for the community that it seems like a fitting tribute. The idea has my wholehearted support."