THE new report on segregation in parts of Blackburn has provoked a lively debate on the Lancashire Telegraph’s website.

The research by cohesion expert Professor Ted Cantle revealed the town has become more ethnically divided.

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Mr Cantle added that parts of Burnley faced similar problems.

Writing on the website yesterday, Terry Spillock said: “There are two Blackburns: the Asian side and the White side.

“The people don’t naturally mix and they probably don’t want to.”

A reader posting as ‘thecally’ said: “I live on the Romney Walk estate and have neighbours from a few different culture backgrounds including Asian, Black and White.

“So could you please tell me which Blackburn I’m living in?”

A post from ‘JFD’ said: “This report doesn’t highlight anything new.

“Ultimately it doesn’t offer a solution as you can’t dictate to people where they choose to live.”

Reader ‘ChampionBreed’ said: “They will not mix in your remaining lifetime, but will do inevitably.”

However in reply ‘Brianmunich’ said: “Terrible shame really because the majority want to mix but power of crowds dictates otherwise.”

But a reader posting as ‘Rrjm’ said: “People naturally want to live within their own communities. I would say that is perfectly normal in every single country in the world.”

Reader ‘BuckoTheMoose’ posted: “It’s nothing new. Doesn’t New York have Chinatown and Little Italy?

“When people move to another country they want to be among familiarity if possible.”

Addressing concerns about non-English speakers, poster Ms Seedat suggested: “Take a leaf out of the book of ‘Jimmy the milkman’: instead of complaining about Gujarati speaking customers, he learnt the language.

Blackburn with Darwen chief executive Harry Catherall said: “Throughout the years there has been a wide range of activities that bring people together.”

“These all aims to help bring people from all backgrounds together, and hopefully make lifelong friends.”