A HOST of community leaders have paid tribute to one of Worcestershire's key figures in the fight against racism.

Worcestershire Racial Equality Council chief executive Waqar Azmi has stepped down from his role to take up a new post at TMP.Worldwide, a global consultancy company.

But he has urged race watchdogs to continue to make progress and sounded a warning note about cash for the group.

"Our Lottery funds run out in September, 2002 and if we wish to continue the community development and racial harassment work we have to get more funding or we'll be back in the position we were five years ago," he told the annual meeting of WREC.

When Mr Azmi arrived at what was then Worcester Racial Equality Council in 1996, there were few staff, the annual funding was £5,000 and the group was based in a cramped office.

It now has 11 staff, funding of just under £500,000, and has moved to a much bigger building.

The body is now a leading organisation with recognition at national level.

The Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Rev Dr Peter Selby, praised Mr Azmi's "respect and firmness" in advancing racial equality throughout the county.

West Mercia's Chief Constable Peter Hampson said he had been "a spur" to the constabulary's efforts at harmonising communities.

"It would have been so easy for Waqar with his various skills to sit back and watch us trip up but he's been there to help and advise," he said.

"Although he's leaving we'll always be aware that Waqar is watching!"

Councillor Nurul Haque said he remembered when Mr Azmi had spoken to a council chief and managed to bring him around to the WREC's way of thinking in a relatively short space of time, despite his initial reluctance.

"He taught me education is an important technique as action only comes from understanding," said Coun Haque.

WREC chairman Coun Dan Wicksteed read out a letter of praise from the Home Office - highlighting Mr Azmi's appointment to the independent inquiry panel into the riots in Oldham.

Coun Wicksteed likened Mr Azmi's approach as being like both "a warrior and a healer" for his determination to get things done as well as his more measured responses to difficult situations.

"The best thanks we can give to Waqar is to take his work forward to enjoy a better Worcesterhire," he said.

Dr Frank Reeves is currently acting chief executive at WREC.