A COUNCILLOR who has been supporting the families of two Blackburn men arrested by anti-terrorist police today spoke of his shock and concern.

Junaid Feroze and Zamir Hussain were arrested at gunpoint from a gold Mercedes in Preston Old Road, Cherry Tree, Blackburn, last Tuesday.

The operation reportedly led to the arrest of a major Al Qaida suspect, who is believed to be among those detained at London Paddington Green police station.

Mr Hussain, of Shakeshaft Street, Audley, has been released without charge.

Junaid Feroze, of Malham Gardens, Audley, was today still in custody after police last night received permission to hold him and eight others arrested across the country until Tuesday.

Coun Tahir Mahmood, of the Audley ward, .fears the arrests of Zamir Hussain and Junaid Feroze have damaged the trust with the police.

He said the families of both men were "very good and well respected in the community".

And added: "The families were very shocked and concerned.

"Zamir has been released now and obviously that shows he was innocent.

"They are working people and have no links to anything like that whatsoever. He doesn't even know about Al Qaida. I don't know why he was arrested.

"But the second family are obviously still really concerned."

Two other men from London, arrested last Tuesday, were released at the weekend -- but then re-arrested on suspicion of possessing forged identity documents.