TWO men from different communities swapped lives for the day, experiencing hijabs and family dogs for the first time, in a bid to break down barriers.

Darwen businessman John Sturgess and Blackburn community worker Faz Patel had never met before, but are now firm friends after spending a day living each other’s lives.

The two agreed to swap lives for the day, filming their experiences for YouTube, as part of a Blackburn with Darwen Council initiative to create understanding between different communities.

Faz, 30, who lives close to Blackburn town centre and has been awarded an MBE for his services to the community, said: “I thought white families don’t spend time together and that white men are always in the pub.

“But I thought it was really good how John’s family go to parks and out walking.

“They also have a dog, which is something Asian families wouldn’t have and I could see why it’s important to them.

"The children loved playing with him, but I was a bit nervous of him!

“I also discovered fantastic countryside on my own doorstep which I’ve never explored.”

John, 47, who is also chairman of the Darwen and Rural Neighbourhood Board, said he wasn’t sure how the tight-knit Asian community would welcome him.

He said: “I was really pleased by how open everyone was and there was no question I couldn’t ask people. Nothing was taboo.

“I wanted to know why Latifah, Faz’s wife wore a hijab and she told me it was her personal choice and that it is flexible.

“All the women I met were very independent, and people took a pride in their community.

"Faz hates litter as much as I do.”

Faz, who came up with the idea for the project while watching Channel 4's Wife Swap show, said: “The problem is that you might work with, or meet up with, white friends but then you go back to your own houses and the two worlds are still separate.

“I also feel sometimes that political correctness is going mad with people saying you shouldn’t fly the St George’s flag and Christmas events being called Winterfest or something stupid.

“The Asian community don’t want that – loads of Asian kids wear England shirts and fly the flag.

“I just felt the best way to understand people is to see how they live and break bread with each other.

“We’re both juggling work, family life and being active in our communities and we’re both concerned about the things that spoil society such as drugs, binge drinking and litter.”