FAMILIES across Lancashire began Eid celebrations yesterday.

It started with thousands of Muslims gathering to wish their family and friends Eid Mubarak, or Happy Eid.

And many more Muslims will begin celebrating the festival today, which marks the end of Ramadan.

Salim Mulla, chairman of Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: “From the Lancashire Council of Mosques to all members of all communities I wish you a happy Eid.

"The Eid celebrations are for the whole community and we want them to enjoy them.”

Blackburn College was closed to students to mark Eid.

Meanwhile, a leading doctor is urging the Muslim community that have been participating in the holy month of Ramadan to use Eid to reinforce the good habits they have achieved.

Many people use the month of fasting to also renew their spiritual energies by individual and group prayers, as well as not ingesting any material orally during daylight hours.

This includes smoking. Dr Gora Bangi, NHS Central Lancashire clinical commissioning executive committee chairman, said: “If you can manage to go without a cigarette during these long days of fasting, then why not give up altogether?”