AN annual march took place yesterday to celebrate the birth of a holy Muslim prophet.

The Holy March, or Eid Milad-un-Nabi, attracted followers from across East Lancashire to Blackburn, where a procession wound through the town, before finishing with talks into the evening.

The event is celebrated across the world, and is traditionally a time for religious scholars to give speeches on the life of the prophet.

Feasts are also prepared, and traditionally food is given to the poor.

It is thought that Blackburn's is the longest running annual Milad procession in the UK.

The procession has been staged in the town for more than 20 years.