MORE than 300 people came together to march for harmony in Old Trafford with a lantern parade to mark the end of Peace Week.

The event was founded by anti-gun crime campaign group CARISMA – Community Alliance for Renewal, Inner South Manchester Area – to deter youngsters from gun and gang crime. Friday’s parade was the first to include people from Old Trafford – it has been running in Moss Side and Longsight since 2003.

Marchers set off from Old Trafford Community Centre on Shrewsbury Street, having taken part in a Poetry Slam competition, netball tournament, lantern making workshops and a prayer group at St Bride’s Church, Old Trafford throughout the week.

The activities were co-ordinated by community activist Joe Malaika and supported by the police, the council and a team of volunteers.

Joe said the success of Old Trafford’s first Peace Week had inspired her to extend the initiative.

She said: "The parade went really well – there was a great turnout and the atmosphere was fantastic. The locals really loved it and engaged with it.

"It has really inspired me to look at what else we can do and I am going to spend one day a week working on how we can encourage other areas to get involved with Peace Week.

"I also want to get everyone involved to spend one day a month doing Peace Week activities and initiatives so it’s not just confined to one week in March.

"Peace Week is a time for diverse communities to come together to celebrate, embrace and share peace at all levels and all around.

"As a nation we can often struggle to practise peace and harmony, but we plan to show that Old Trafford is the place where we love to live, grow, play and prosper."