A LEADING academic believes Blackburn is becoming more rather than less segregated, storing up problems for the future.

Professor Ted Cantle spoke after the BBC’s Panorama programme revisited the town in a documentary shown last night.

In 2007, its programme ‘White Fright’ highlighted the divide between Muslim Asian and white residents.

Last night’s film claimed the production team found a town even more geographically segregated.

Its conclusion was backed by Professor Cantle who led a government enquiry into race riots in Burnley, Oldham and Bradford in 2001 and in 2009 investigated the situation in Blackburn finding ‘one of the most ethnically divided towns in the country’.

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He said: “The evidence is Blackburn has become more segregated in terms of where people live, work and go to school in the last ten years.

“The Panorama programme is right and this will build up problems and tensions for the future. More needs to be done to tackle this divide.”

Documentary producers filmed Nazir Musa, who arrived in Blackburn aged three in 1967.

He said: “It’s totally changed in my lifetime. There were probably about half a dozen Asian families here, nowadays there’s probably half a dozen white families left.”

Mr Musa said the need to end segregation is greater than ever, but that there was “very little prospect for integration”.

Gulistan Khan, a community activist, said he and other Asian Muslims faced constantly speak out in the aftermath of terrorism:.

He said: “We’re having to justify our allegiances with the country that we live in, but why is it that we have to do it every time. We’re having to apologise for others and it has a huge impact on Muslims.”

Despite this he said: “I do not see Blackburn as a racially segregated town. People may live in geographically different areas but they all come together when it is needed.”

Cllr Mohammed Khan, the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I’m very disappointed.

“Building relationships between communities is vital. We are a lot less isolated as there are so many opportunities and choices for people to mix though things like leisure and community events. This is more important than telling people who they should have as their next door neighbour.”

Jaffer Hussain, founder and chief executive of SLYNCS, a youth empowerment group, said: “Our organisation and other groups such as the Youth Zone and the College are doing a lot to bring different communities together.”