An organisation which works to foster links between Jews and Muslims has won a national interfaith award.

The Muslim Jewish Forum of Greater Manchester was named as winners of the Spirit of Britain prize at the British Muslim Awards 2014 last night.

The Forum's company secretary Heather Fletcher, who accepted the award at the ceremony at Salford City Stadium, said she was “delighted”.

Mrs Fletcher, who is a member of Holy Law South Broughton Hebrew Congregation, said: “I hope more people join us and spread our positive message that Muslim people and Jewish people can work together and learn from each other."

Co-founder of the Forum Cllr Afzal Khan said: "When we started our Forum 10 years ago, never in my wildest dreams did I think we would get national recognition.

“There is a need for all of us to try and unite in our global village. It is important that we reach out to one another."

The Forum was the only organisation outside London to be nominated for the award. It beat the Quilliam Foundation and the Christian Muslim Forum , at the awards held in the new Salford City Stadium.

Mrs Flechter the prize would be dedicated to the Forum co-founder , the late Henry Guterman.

Mr Guterman fled Nazi Germany when he was 12 and dedicated his life to fighting racism as an interfaith activist.