A POLICE officer is travelling to Malaysia for a month-long visit aimed at learning how to improve community cohesion in Lancashire.

Sergeant Abid Khan, who leads Blackburn's north east policing team, is taking part in the vocational exchange in order to experience the country’s culture and institutions, observe how Malaysian officers work, and exchange ideas on bringing communities together.

The trip is funded by The Rotary Foundation through its Group Study Exchange (GSE) programme, with Sgt Khan being sponsored by the Chorley and Astley Rotary Club.

He will be joined on the trip, which sets off on April 15, by team leader Lynne McDougal, a Darwen based holistic therapist and member of the Rotary Club of Church and Oswaldtwistle, who is hoping to learn about Malaysia's health care systems.

Burnley dance practioner Tids Pickard, Blackpool Council equalities advisor Catherine Mugonyi and prison worker Bronya Cooper will also join the group.

Sgt Khan, who was put forward for the trip by the force's chief constable, said: "There are many different groups, races and religions living in Malaysia and I am led to believe they all seem to get on well together.

“I am really looking forward to seeing how these different communities live side by side and I am hoping to learn how this harmony is maintained and bring back some ideas with me."

Sgt Khan will also be going out on foot patrol with the Royal Malaysian Police.

He said: "I can then use this experience to enhance the service we deliver in East Lancashire."

Five Malaysians, including an IT consultant, an architect and a car manufacture worker, have already been to Lancashire, where they visited Accrington and Rossendale College, Leyland Truck Museum, the Textile Museum in Helmshore, Stoneyhurst College and Ribchester's Roman ruins.

While in Malaysia the English group will also have to give presentations to rotary clubs about what they do back in the UK.

There will also be time for sight seeing and getting to know their host families.

Sgt Khan said: "My uncle used to work in Malaysia so i have heard a lot about it and am really looking forward to what I think will be a unique experience."