MEMBERS of a Blackburn society became victims of the fuel crisis as they gathered for a special celebration.

The Friends of Pakistan Forum, who hold monthly meetings at the Bangor Street Community Centre, Blackburn, met at Jan's Conference Centre to celebrate the 53rd anniversary of their country's independence.

Secretary of the forum, Afzal Quraishi, said: "It was a good night but not as good as I'd hoped because of the petrol crisis. So many people phoned up to say they couldn't make it."

Picture: From the left are Afzal Quraishi, Coun Salas Kiani, Michael Hindley, chairman Abdul Hammed Racha and leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council Coun Malcolm Doherty.