ASIAN business leaders celebrated the successful first year of the organisation set up to support their growth and development.

In what was the largest event of it' s kind in the North West the Asian Business Federation staged its second annual dinner at Blackburn's King George's Hall.

Among the key speakers was Tahir Mohsan, managing director of Simonstone-based Time Computers, who is one of the UK's most successful entrepreneurs, and Nighat Awan, the woman behind the Shere Khan Restaurant group.

More than 500 East Lancashire businesses and 200 VIP's attended the event, reflecting the success of what is the fastest-growing Asian business federation in the UK.

Mr Mohsan, chairman of the federation, said the organisation had been highly successful in creating links with other business support bodies.

"I would like to thank all our members and partners for their support," he said. "I look forward to the ABF forging closer relationships over the coming year."

The annual dinner was sponsored by Business Link, HSBC and Learndirect.