The family of a suspected terrorist arrested at gunpoint in Blackburn have spoken of their shock and anger after his arrest.

Junaid Feroze was driving a gold, H-registered Mercedes car when it was swooped on by armed undercover officers from the Metropolitan Police.

Relatives and friends said the 28-year-old married father-of-three and his passenger, Zamir Hussain, 24, are car salesmen.

Zamir has since been released without charge.

They said the men were returning from an auction in Chorley when they were stopped in Preston Old Road, Cherry Tree.

Junaid's home in Malham Gardens and Zamir's house in Shakeshaft Street, both in Audley, Blackburn, were among five local properties searched by police as part of the massive anti-terrorist operation.

Lower Audley Tyre Centre, at the junction of Copperfield Street and Bennington Street, owned by Junaid's brother Javaid, 41, was being searched.

The business is now open.

Javaid said he first found out about the incident when a friend told him the Mercedes, which belongs to him, had been stopped in the middle of the road and was surrounded by police.

Mr Feroze said: "It has come as a big shock to the whole family. The police came to my business premises and I co-operated with them fully. They didn't even have to show me a search warrant.

"However, in return the police have told us nothing about what is going on.

" I was told I would have access to my business premises where my brother works and which police also searched on Tuesday but when I tried to gain access I was physically restrained.

"I have worked hard to bolster community relations in this town for years and always tell people to trust the police. I have participated and orghanised projects in conjuction with the police.

"But after these events my trust in the police has been affected."

Family spokesperson Jawaid Iqbal added: "Everyone who knows Juniad, knows him as a hard-working lad.

"He is not involved in any terrorist activities of any kind.

"These arrests portray a very negative image of Muslims living here and spreads panic between communities.

"What's angered us most is that we have not been told of any genuine reason of why these men have have arrested and how they are.

"This has been a very traumatic time for the family and the police have not been helpful at all.

"Only two community officers have turned up to ask if they can do anything."

The family's home in Whalley New Road was raided at 11.30pm on Tuesday August 5.

Mr Feroze added: "My brother's home was raided but why they had to come to my house I have no idea. My mother is 65 years old and disabled and we were told we had to leave quickly and were not allowed to take anything from the house.

"My sister-in-law was escorted to a friends house by the police from her home.

"My brother has lived in Blackburn all his life and has never left the country for 15 years.

"My sister-in-law is very upset that no-one has told us of my brother's health and well-being."

"He works at my place for three days a week and the remainder of the time he buys and sells cars. He was returning from an auction in Chorley when he was arrested."

The two men were both taken to Paddington Green police station in central London to be interviewed by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Anti-Terrorist Branch.

Lower Audley Tyres was re-opened two days after it was raided.

Javaid Feroze said his business had had it's image tarnished over the two days of searches.

He said, "All they took was a hard drive to my PC, one alloy wheel, one printer and one broken mobile phone."

"I used the computer to check the company website and they have only returned one key to me. The police still have two keys to the doors."

Customers began to arrive as normal yesterday afternoon as Javaid and co-workers began the clear up which will take up to a week to fully complete.

"Many people have very supportive and sympathetic towards me. One customer didn't even realise a raid had taken place at the premises."

"The police have left the place in a real mess and they walked away with nothing. They damaged some locks, doors and even the coffee machine for some reason."

"Most of all they have done a lot of damage to the reputation of my business and to that of my family."

Javaid was still awaiting confirmation as to whether he will be allowed back into his home.

"I asked to get some medicine for my mother but they refused. She is very upset and we have not been allowed to even get a change of clothes.

"This has been a very traumatic time for us. My children are living at one house and I am at another and my mother and sister-in-law constantly worry."

Asked whether he would be pursuing any sort of damages from the authorities he had this to say.

"All I want is my brother to be cleared and come home - that is our priority. My family and I wish to get on with our lives."

Family friend Jawaid Iqbal said, "The way they have victimised these families is beyond discription. They need to look at how they treat families when they conduct such raids."

"They are creating mis-trust between neighbours and damaging relations."

Junaid Feroze remained in custody today and the family say it was only through the efforts their local councillor Tahir Mahmud that they managed to speak to the solicitor representing him.

"We have spoken to the solicitor representing my brother and he says Junaid is well but hadn't been interviewed as of yet. That's all we know."

Ray Booth a close friend of Javaid's and who's business is situated next to Lower Audley Tyres said, "Javiad and his brothers are hard-working honest people. Javaid always puts others before himself and it is a pleasure to have known him for the past 15 years."

"He has friends from all backgrounds and a highly respected businessman."