MORE than 1,000 mourners shared the grief of murder victim Nazia Ahmed's family as her body was finally laid to rest.

The 23-year-old was stabbed to death at her home in Shear Bank Road, Blackburn, last Saturday, during an attack which also left her sister Shazia seriously injured.

Police are hunting for Nazia's estranged husband Zameer Ahmed, 26, in connection with the murder.

Her family's wish to follow the Muslim tradition of burying the dead as soon as possible was held up for almost a week by the need for two post mortem examinations as part of the police inquiry.

But the family finally received permission for the burial during Friday prayers at Randal Street mosque yesterday.

Her body was taken to Randal Street mosque at about 2.15pm and was then taken to Pleasington Cemetery, Preston Old Road, where around 150 people joined the family for the burial.

The man leading the hunt for Zameer, Det Supt Mick Gradwell, had earlier appeal to people at the mosque for help after admitting Zameer had disappeared without trace.

He said: "This is a family which will never be whole again because of what has happened and their grief has been obvious throughout the week, but especially when they were at the funeral."

Shazia has now been released from hospital after surgery for stab wounds to her hand and body. Police believe they may have been sustained trying to defend her sister.