GET out your best pastels, paints, pens and pencils…

School children across Blackburn with Darwen are invited to take part in a special arts competition to celebrate and honour mums across the borough.

The Mother’s Day event has been organised by Meet Your Muslim Neighbours (MYMN) – a community-based voluntary group set up to enhance social cohesion, foster stronger relations and reinstate shared values – and is supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council which has been running Your Call events.

Dr Mohammed Naushad, leading the group, which is made up people with professional backgrounds, said:

“We have organised many successful open day events and exhibitions in various museums, libraries, and town centres in and around Blackburn.

“Our volunteers are from various professional background including doctors, dentists, teachers, opticians, accountants, architects with one common objective. Our aim is to build cross cultural bridges between the communities, break down the barriers, so as to enhance social cohesion, foster strong relations and reinstate shared values.

“Now we want as many children as possible to design a poster or poem to pay tribute to our deserving mothers on Mothering Sunday (March 6). There will be prizes for the best entries and certificates.”

MP Kate Hollern, Blackburn Mayor Councillor Faryad Hussain and his wife Parveen will attend the prize-giving ceremony on Mother’s Day at Blackburn Central High School in the main hall.

There will also be fun activities and exhibits to entertain the whole family, as well as refreshments.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, leader of the Council, said:

“This sounds like a very good event. I am delighted to see any event which brings people together.”