A PROJECT using football to change perceptions surrounding the armed forces and religion is reinforcing its message after the recent Paris attacks.

The OppO Foundation's Changing Perceptions initiative returned to Gigg Lane last weekend for Bury's win over Burton Albion, after also appearing at several other games earlier this season.

The scheme invites armed services personnel, veterans, reservists, and members of youth and faith groups to meet up for the match, in order to foster new relationships and challenge misconceptions.

Ex-soldier Kayam Iqbal, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, set up the project earlier this year, and has seen up to 70 people joining the group for each match.

He said: "The Changing Perceptions project is having a huge impact within the local community. We are receiving many requests each day to join our project and be involved. The support we are receiving from the local community, the council, Bury FC and also the MoD is overwhelming and a great way of bringing communities together.

"A key aim is generate an understanding of just how much people from different backgrounds have in common and how alike we really all are.

"Highlighting and even celebrating differences between people, no matter how well intentioned, perpetuates separation and division, creates outsiders, cements the bonds between the members of particular groups and fuels conflicts.

"All human beings belong to a single species, no matter what their language, colour, gender, sexual orientation, age, faith, clothing, height, weight, physical features, profession, sporting ability and so on.

"The tragic events that have happened recently in Paris could so easily generate conflict and hatred within our community. The Changing Perceptions project is a prime example of how we can show that we are united and condemn those atrocities, whatever our faith and background.

"Because the terrorists profess to be carrying out these murderous attacks in the name of Islam, it is all the more important to recognise that the Muslim communities share a common voice in saying that we are all against the horrific and cowardly attacks that have taken place over the last few weeks not just in Paris but other countries including Lebanon."