THE man who has spearheaded racial harmony in Bury for the past 11 years has resigned on medical grounds.

Mr Nasrullah Khan has been forced to quit his post as full-time director of Bury Racial Equality Council (BREC) because of his worsening diabetes.

And the 47-year-old father of four admitted this week: "It was a very tough decision to make. It was extremely difficult.

"I enjoyed the work which I found very challenging. Obviously, BREC has had its ups and downs but it was a pleasure to work with so many of my colleagues."

Mr Khan, of Benson Street, Bury, originally joined the organisation as a racial equality officer in 1988 when it was known as Bury Community Relations Council.

In 1990, he was appointed acting director before being confirmed director of Bury Racial Equality Council six years later.

He has been suffering from diabetes for several years now. "I'd also been getting a heavy workload, which didn't help," said Mr Khan. "I've been ill for some time and latterly I had some difficulty in carrying on."

Mr Khan paid tribute to many of his colleagues he had served with over the years, including BREC executives Sam Cohen and Alan Turner and Councillor Derek Boden.

"I want to thank everyone who supported me through some very difficult times. And I also have best wishes for the many clients I dealt with."

During his tenure, Mr Khan helped initiate the Jinnah Day Care Centre in Alfred Street and to secure more than £100,000 of funding to establish the town's Asian Women's Project.

He was also instrumental in the adoption of several important equal opportunities policies and worked closely with Bury Council, which provides funding for the BREC.

Before joining the organisation, Mr Khan had served as a senior advice worker and senior housing liaison officer with the Jinnah Community Service in Burnley.

Earlier, he had worked for Burnley Council planning department.

BREC chairman, Dr Mohammed Salim said: "Mr Khan has not been well for some time. We wish him well for the future."

Meanwhile, secretary Sam Cohen is writing to the Commission for Racial Equality for advice on how to advertise for a replacement and the qualities required for the job.

"We want to make sure we do it correctly," he said.

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