A DESIRE to get young Asians in touch with their roots has spawned an exhibition charting how men and women came from overseas to build new lives.

The Asian Roots exhibition uses oral accounts and visual displays to tell the story of 17 Redbridge people of Bangladeshi, Indian and Pakistani origins.

Their accounts, which explore their personal experiences of settling in the borough and how they have kept in touch with their heritage, are displayed at Redbridge Museum, Central Library, Clements Road, Ilford.

Observers at Monday’s exhibition launch warned the heritage of young Asians risked being squeezed out unless they are given the chance to learn about their culture.

Abdur Rashid, manager of the Community Development Institute, High Road, Ilford, which devised the project, said: “The project allows us to express ourselves, how we came to this country and what the difficulties were that we faced.

“As a nation we wanted to express this so our youngsters could learn from this. “You ask young people where their parents came from, and they don’t know. “They know the country, but they’re not sure of the culture.”

Naz Choudhury, who owns restaurant Hawa Bengal Cuisine, High Road, Ilford, moved from Bangladesh to Ilford in 1977, aged 22. He said: “I came here with no money, just £5 or £10 in my pocket.

“There was real hardship and it was a struggle, but I worked very hard and now I have a home, my own business and a family. “I think it’s most important young people know their roots. People have lost their identity.” Visitor Randhir Singh Bains said: “Some youngsters don’t identify themselves with the Asian community. “It’s a natural process, it happens to all immigrants.”

The project, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is at the museum until June 13 and admission is free.