Members of a Muslim organisation in Oldham were handing out sweets and roses in the town centre on Saturday to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.

More than 15 men, women and young people who are part of the Madrissa Al-Quba organisation were on Market Place, offering sweets and roses to people out and about from 10am to 5pm.

The group's aim was to break down barriers and encourage open conversations about the Muslim faith.

Madrissa Al-Quba was chosen to hold the celebration as part of a wider global initiative from As-Siraat, an organisation that aims to improve Muslim education in the UK.

The event in Oldham was one of nearly 40 taking place across the UK with other locations including Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield and Walsall.

It was the first time the annual event was held in Oldham.

Faysal Yaqoob, a member of Madrissa Al-Quba who works as a solicitor, said the two main aims of the initiative were to raise awareness of the Prophet Muhammad and to break down barriers.

He said: "We want people to come and speak to us, to come and ask us questions, to get involved in the celebrations.

"Really, it is a celebration of love and love is universal to everyone."

Faysal said it was particularly important to hold such an event after recent disorder in Leicester last month, which saw tensions between the city's Hindu and Muslim communities.

He said: "With the recent events in Leicester, it's even more important that we have events like this so we can break down those misconceptions and make sure we don't have a repeat of what happened in Oldham when we were growing up."

Madrissa Al-Quba mainly works with teaching young people in the community, as well as holding fundraising events.

It also offers pastoral care and support to young people in the area who are facing problems.