RACIAL equality bosses in Bury are bidding for National Lottery cash to fund the appointment of an officer to work with the victims and perpetrators of racist crime.

Bury Racial Equality Council (BREC) say it is imperative to provide a "bespoke service" throughout the borough.

Despite the fact the National Lottery Charities Board has already turned down an initial application for funding, a renewed attempt is being made.

Writing in the newly-published BREC annual report for 2000-01, director Mr Khalid Hussain disclosed the organisation had earlier sought Lottery cash for a three-year Bury Multi-Agency Harassment Project.

"However, the application was unsuccessful and a revised bid will be submitted in the very near future."

Stressing the need for such an initiative, Mr Hussain added: "It is imperative that a dedicated officer is employed to service a multi-agency forum in order to provide a bespoke service to victims and work with the criminal justice agencies to develop strategy in dealing effectively with perpetrators of racist crime."

The report, which was presented to the annual general meeting, revealed that BREC had dealt with 72 inquiries and 25 cases of alleged racial discrimination during the last 12 months. And separate figures from April 2000 to March this year showed BREC investigated 41 cases of alleged racial harassment and racial violence.

The annual report also detailed the work and services of BREC which earlier this year became a registered company limited by guarantee.

And the organisation has also attracted external funding of almost £50,000 including £41,000 from the Health Action to fund the appointment of community health development officer Mr Zahid Hussain.

Other high-profile activities undertaken by the racial equality body during the past year included meetings with a view to establishing a Bury FC soccer academy for ethnic minority youths, hosting a visit by the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) Commissioner and the awarding of an MBE to BREC chairman Dr Mohammed Salim.

Writing in the annual report, Dr Salim stated: "In the coming year, BREC intends to focus on the problems facing the ethnic youth and women residing in the borough.

"We will continue to work in partnership with the local authority, CRE, police and other bodies as well as members of the community to help make Bury a peaceful, non-racialist town."

The report has been dedicated to murdered Bury taxi driver Tariq Javed and Liaquat Ali who was killed in lodgings in Bury.

Bury Town Hall hosted BREC's annual general meeting and main speaker was Mr Shahid Malik, northern commissioner of the CRE.

He spoke about racial tensions in Oldham, Burnley and Leeds and said these had become riots and civic unrest due to the British National Party gaining sufficient ground in these areas.

Guests at the well-attended meeting included Bury mayor Coun Paul Nesbit, Bury Council deputy leader Coun Derek Boden, chairman of BREC membership panel Coun Jack Walton and local authority Lib Dems leader Coun Wilf Davison.

The following people were elected to the board of directors:

Sam Cohen; Ghulam Rabbi; Mohammed Javed; Mohammed Riaz; Sajawal Khan; Dr. Mohammed Salim; Dr Mohammed Qureshi; Wajid Maqsood; Raja Zulfiqar Khan; Azer Mahmood; Akram Beg; Mohammad Iqbal Javed and Tariq Mahmood.