A man who lived through the partition and has performed religious ceremonies across the North West for decades will be honoured with a Lifetime honour at the Fusion Awards.

Madhusudan Dave, now aged 92 was also involved in anti-British demonstrations as a teenager in India.

Born in 1924 and originally from Mombasa, Kenya, Mr Dave came to the UK in 1973 and since then has officiated hundreds of religious rituals in temples in the region.

His earlier life helped to define Mr Dave who was a college student living in Ahmadabad during the Second World War.

In 1942 he recollects being beaten and arrested by the British army after he joined demonstrations to support the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi, someone he also heard speaking at a gathering.

In the fifties he trained as a journalist and worked on a number of newspapers in India and then back in Kenya.

On arriving in Blackburn in the seventies, like many first generation Asians, he worked in the local mills. Then, as a Brahmin he was asked to perform weddings.

As time went on he became the focal point for communities and says he was blessed to be able to perform funeral rites.

The Fusion Awards take place on Saturday 13 May in Blackburn.

Anyone wanting further information of the event can call 01254 298263.