LITTLE Laura Hartley and Fatima Habib sent out a timely message of peace and friendship by getting together to celebrate New Year and Eid.

The girls were just two of the hundreds of people from both white and Asian communities who gathered for the joint celebration lunch in Audley, Blackburn.

Laura, eight, of Queen's Road, Blackburn, who was at the lunch with dad Lawrence, a member of the Audley and Queen's Park Community Association, said: "I think it's a really good idea to get everyone together, we've had a nice time and I've made some new friends.

"I play with lots of different people when I'm at home and I don't care what colour they are or where they come from."

Organisers stressed that the event, at the Audley Community Centre, Higher Audley Street, Blackburn, on Saturday, was not political as it has run every year since 1997. Given the events of September 11, however, the day was a timely reminder of peace and friendship.

The message sent out by those at the lunch follows the findings of the Task Force report into the three-day disturbances in Burnley last June.

It said there was an urgent need for white and Asian communities to mix together in a bid to avoid polarisation and to encourage understanding of culture and beliefs.

Yaqoob Hussain, chairman of the community association, said the event had been set up four years ago to get people from all communities together.

He said: "It's really important that we get communities together and we are working very hard to do that. We must all work as one community and not put labels on people because of who they are or what they believe.

"If we pull together we can all make things better for everybody and promote friendship and integration."

Organiser Saleem Mullah added: "Its was great to see so many people here as part of the celebrations of Christmas and New Year and Eid.

"It's really important that events like this are supported by all members of the community."

Coun Bill Taylor, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, was also at the lunch to promote the message of harmony between white and Asian communities in Blackburn.

He said: "Our communities must grow together in Blackburn. We must never be complacent about having respect for one another and that is what this event is all about, making friends and staying friends."

Volunteers worked until the early hours of Saturday morning to prepare the meal of curry and sandwiches which was served up until about 4pm.

The lunch was funded from community centre profits made during the last year.