A MEETING to condemn the death of Bury taxi driver Tariq Javed is taking place tonight.

Community leaders, councillors, police, MPs and colleagues of Mr Javed will gather in Bury Town Hall for an invitation-only "expression of grief".

Tributes are expected to be led by Bury's mayor, Councillor Bill Johnson.

Organiser Qassim Afzal, with Bury Racial Equality Council director Khalid Hussain, has been appointed spokesman for Mr Javed's family.

He said: "The meeting will be known as a collective civic condemnation and comes after discussions between councillors, Bury Racial Equality Council and Mr Javed's family.

"The death has shocked the whole community and many people have been left traumatised.

"The meeting will acknowledge that multi-cultured and indigenous communities in Bury are shocked and appalled by it and want to condemn it."

Mr Afzal expects discussions to include ways of improving overall security for taxi drivers to avoid similar incidents from happening again.

A second man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Bury taxi driver, Tariq Javed.

Jason Power, aged 29, of no fixed abode, made a brief appearance before magistrates on Saturday before reappearing in custody yesterday.

Power, who is also charged with robbing Mr Javed was remanded in custody until November 24.