MEMBERS of the Muslim community throughout the region celebrated Eid-Ul-Fitr.

At the Masjid-E-Tauheedul Islam, Bicknell Street, Blackburn, over 800 people attended the morning prayer.

They were met with warm festival greetings and handshakes from friends and community members.

Across the area people waited for the first sighting of the new moon, marking the beginning of the celebrations.

From the Jameah Masjid on Clarenden Street to the Taibah Masjid in Bolton hundreds attended the morning prayers where the message of peace and goodwill was relayed to all.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, lasting 30 days, during which strict fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset.

Valli Bax, 80, was helped hand-in-hand to the Bicknell Street mosque by his 24-year-old neighbour Naim Master.

Mr Bax, of Altom Street, expressed what he thought was the real meaning of Eid.

He said: "Eid is a prayer time.

"We thank God that he has given us time to fast to take time to think about the needy and the poor.

"Fasting means we are going to exactly know and understand and realise what people who are suffering feel.

"This helps us to hand charity to the needy."

Eid also means a happy time of family togetherness and community celebration.

Yasin Khonat, 16, of London Road, said, "Do we look forward to it? Too right we do!

"Eid means a time of celebration, going to meet relatives and mixing with the community.

"After the month of fasting we eat and meet with friends. It is enjoyable."

Hanif Khonat, 34, and also of London Road, agreed.

He said, "It is a celebration of friendship and togetherness of the community. Friends, neighbours, children of all different origins. We all come together."

On the roads it remained busy on both Thursday and Friday. Whalley Range in Blackburn and Wilmslow Road in Manchester were were gridlocked for long hours. Traffic calming measures were in place in both areas which have quickly become the centre for many revellers at this time of year.