MORE than 1,000 people came out as a community mourned the death of an 18-year-old who died after falling during a street dispute.

The funeral of Zeeshan Khan, of Dartford Close, Blackburn, took place yesterday at Chester Street Mosque.

Mr Khan died on Monday, a week after the North Street dispute with a 16-year-old boy, who it was revealed yesterday will not be charged by police over the incident.

During the service, which took place outside due to the large numbers of people attending, Zeeshan’s father, Mohammed, made a plea to the community for calm and not to resort to violence.

During an address, a message was read out on his behalf, saying he was happy with the decision by the police.

Mourners were lined up in a military fashion to observe the service and prayers.

The gathered crowd featured a large number of children and youths.

Chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, Coun Salim Mulla, said: “Zeeshan was a popular lad among the youths, and this was shown in the youth numbers here.

“It was a very good turnout. He was a big loss to the community.”

In a statement, the managing committee of Chester Street Mosque said: “We are in shock with the loss of a young man in our community. Our hearts go out to his family in these difficult times.

“Since the death of Zeeshan, our mosque doors have been open to all, especially the young, for bereavement, where they meet the family and pray for Zeeshan.

“We feel our mosque has a moral duty to support the family and the community spiritually.

“Since the death of Zeeshan, there has been a lot of youth presence in the mosque, where they have been very supportive towards the family and generally helping in the mosque.

“We are asking all muslims and non-muslims to pray for Zeeshan and his family.”

Children in the community held a collection, raising £500, which they gave to Zeeshan’s family to pay for his headstone.

The body was kept at the mosque overnight and will be buried at Pleasington today at 11am.