A MINUTE'S silence in memory of Bury taxi driver Tariq Javed was observed during a poignant meeting to collectively condemn his death.

More than 70 dignitaries, family and colleagues attended a civic condemnation event at Bury Town Hall following the death of 48-year-old Mr Javed earlier this month.

Guests included Mayor of Bury Cllr Bill Johnson, council leader Cllr Derek Boden, chief executive Dennis Taylor, Bury South MP Ivan Lewis, senior police representatives, chairman of Bury Racial Equality Council Dr Mohammed Salim and Mr Javed's brother Rashid.

At the meeting, regional director of the Manchester-based Commission for Racial Equality Eric Seward read out a statement on behalf of the organisation's chairman Gurbux Singh.

It stated he was "shocked and saddened" by Mr Javed's death and that he was extending his sympathy to family and friends.

He added: "The CRE recognises that the regulatory authority for taxis and the police need to review safety regulations for drivers and the particular vulnerability of large numbers of Asian taxi drivers to racist attacks."

Last night's collective civic condemnation had been organised by Mr Khalid Hussain, director of Bury Racial Equality Council.

He said: "This was a fantastic meeting. It just shows that the whole community can come together.

"The main aim of this was to provide support for the family and to recognise this type of evil act is unacceptable in our peaceful town.

"Secondly, this is not a racist town, although we do have a small minority of racists in our town."

More than 10,000 mourners from Bury, Greater Manchester and beyond are expected to attend Mr Javed's funeral.

A date for the service has still to be announced.

Mark Baker, 21, of Hazel Avenue, Bury and Jason Power, 29, from Bury have both been charged with the murder and robbery of Mr Javed.