A Bolton store is looking back on the 50th anniversary of Ugandan expulsion by the country's former leader Idi Amin.

Sital-Raja-Arjan MBE runs Bolton’s famous sari store House of Raja with her mum, Nila Raja.

Dictator Amin forced 28,000 Ugandans to flee to England in 1972, when the Rajas found themselves in Bolton and lived in Little Lever.

Nila recalls having only £50 when they fled while the children cried about their predicament.

Sital said: “I remember nursery staff saying I should watch Top of the Pops and Coronation Street to pick up English language skills.

“So, I was singing Abba songs before I could even speak English."

Asians living in Uganda had just 90 days to leave the country with just £50 under the harsh and brutal regime of Amin.

Sital said: “There you go, our Ugandan roots, we had it tough, but look where we are today.

“Most importantly though, thank you Bolton for welcoming us with open arms. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else.”

Sital Raja-Arjan has worked in the well-known family store and tourist attraction The House of Raja in Fletcher Street since she was a young girl.

Nila is 79 but still loves working at the store, which sells all kinds of things from spices to saris.

The mother and daughter were invited to the Queen’s garden party not long ago in May, recognised for being a pillar to the community during the pandemic.

Sital said: “When my dad died in 2007, he left an address book with names of people around his generation so we’re talking about people in their 70s.

“We contacted every one of them and made sure that nobody went hungry.

“We had staff going in to see them and helping with everyday tasks.

“Some people don’t have anyone so we organised food for them or if they don’t speak English, someone will come and help them with things like forms etc.”

Born in Kenya to Nila and the late Pratap Raja, Sital has two older brothers, Shailendra and Nilendra – who now run the successful Scan Computers’ business at Middlebrook.