Seven Bury councillors from Muslim backgrounds have signed a letter calling that Labour demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

More than 250 Muslim Labour councillors have urged Sir Keir Starmer and deputy leader Angela Rayner to back the ceasefire.

Read more: Bury Council planning to take over the management of homes

Cllr Ayesha Arif for Bury East, Cllr Ummrana Farooq for Bury East, Cllr Shaheena Haroon for Redvales, Cllr Babar Ibrahim for Moorside, Cllr Tahir Rafiq for Unsworth, Cllr Imran Rizvi for Holyrood and Cllr Tamoor Tariq the deputy Labour leader have all put their names to the letter.

The letter was organised by the Labour Muslim Network and the group called it an “unprecedented letter of unity from Muslim Labour representatives, which shows the “strength of feeling throughout the nation and in our communities.”

Read more: Revealed how much Bury Council made from parking charges

Part of the letter states: “As Labour councillors elected to serve our constituents, the message we have been hearing repeatedly over the past two weeks is simple, people just want an end to the bloodshed and the loss of innocent life.

“No nation, no people or community should have to endure collective punishment and the same should be the case for the Palestinian people.

Read more: Bury Council reviewing polling stations ahead of next year's elections

“We are also clear that hostages held captive must also be returned to their families safely.

“Therefore, as Labour Party councillors, as members, and as members of the Muslim community we urge the Labour Party to urgently adopt a position of calling for an immediate ceasefire, calling on the UK government and the international community to act upon this proposal to save innocent human lives.”