Haris' safe haven

And on Tuesday (April 20) he became one of the first people in the town to take part in a special ceremony to become a British citizen.

Haris (23), who now lives in Whitefield, moved to the borough with his mother, Razija, and brother, Muris (20), after escaping the troubles in his home country of Bosnia.

And after applying to become a citizen of this country in January, he took part in Bury's first citizenship ceremony at Bury Town Hall, in front of his family and some of the town's dignitaries.

Haris, and Leny Booler (33), who settled in Bury seven years ago after moving from Jakarta, swore allegiance to the Queen, and pledged to be a loyal subject of this country.

Under new laws, introduced under the 2002 Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act, all adult applicants for British citizenship are now required to take part in the ceremony.

Haris is now a trainee manager with a marketing firm in Manchester. He attended the event with his mother, and said: "I came here as a refugee to escape the trouble in Bosnia. Everybody was in danger at the time, and we have had to apply for a visa every year in order to stay here.

"But I really wanted to do this. I feel very proud to be one of the first people in Bury to take part in the ceremony, and have been excited for about a month."

The ceremony was conducted by Bury's Superintendent Registrar, Graeme Ramsden, and in front of the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury, Wilf and Maureen Davison.

Leny, who works as an assistant at Summerseat garden centre, said: "I was quite touched by the ceremony. Especially when they played the national anthem. It always makes me cry! I'm so proud to be here and one of the first people in the town to take part in the ceremony."

Around 250 people are expected to attend ceremonies in Bury each year and Mr Ramsden has set aside the third Tuesday in the month for the events.

Haris added: "Hopefully now I'll have better career opportunities and the chance to travel."