ASIAN leaders gathered in the borough on Monday (Aug 14) to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of Pakistani Independence Day.

They were joined by the borough's mayor and mayoress, Councillor Bill and Mrs Joyce Johnson, during the unfurling of the Pakistani flag outside Bury Town Hall.

The Pakistani consule, based in Manchester, sent his "good wishes" to Bury to mark the occasion.

Celebrations among Bury's ethnic population continued at home with many families cooking special Independence Day meals.