A COUNCIL should stop 'papering over the cracks' and deal with the issue of segregation in a town, a resident has said.

Blackburn resident Asif Mahmud said segregation is a 'serious problem' and needs addressing following a controversial BBC Panorama programme.

But Blackburn with Darwen council leader Mohammed Khan said the council had done a 'great job' in bringing the community together and criticised the programme.

Thousands of people tuned in to watch the programme on Monday, which said the town had become geographically segregated with white families typically living in Mill Hill and Asian families typically living in Whalley Range.

It prompted Mr Mahmud to put forward a public questions during a fiery council forum meeting on Thursday.

He said: "Would the council and its elected officials tell me and the wider public, whether it acknowledges the issue of segregation and what steps if any, it has taken, is taking and plans to undertake to address this serious issue?"

Cllr Khan responded and said: "This is something which is important for the council and we've done a great job over the last 20 years to bring the community together.

"The Panorama programme was very shoddy journalism.

"I don't know why they focus on Blackburn as there is segregation in many towns and cities but they keep picking up on Blackburn."

BBC Panorama White Fright: 'Blackburn IS more divided'

Controversial Panorama programme about Blackburn a ‘slap in the face’

Controversial Panorama documentary sequel about Blackburn returns

But Mr Mahmud retorted: "I think a lot of what you say is actually papering over the cracks and is not good enough.

"The council need to start taking some leadership.

"We need to stop dithering and put things in place, not just because of a Panorama programme.

"This has got to be forever and we've got to be working on this week in week out and it should be top of the agenda."

Mr Khan added: "If you look at the real situation, the issue is social class and poor people.

"Do you see any of this on Panorama?

"The biggest segregation is social class, but they chose only to focus on black and white."

Cllr John Slater, leader of the Conservative group on the council, said: "It's not the best and most programme I've ever seen."

Cllr David Foster, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the council, said: "The programme was biased, but there was a grain of truth in it, as not everyone feels united, and there is some deep-seated resentment from some sections of the community."

Last night's council forum saw the council's Social Integration Strategy for 2018-20 approved.