A photograph of murdered mini-cab driver Mohammed Basharat sits in pride of place on a mantlepiece overlooking his colleagues as they wait for their next job.

The interior of the Little Horton Private Hire office in Little Horton has been redecorated since the terrible events of Saturday, October 20.

Police have arrested seven men after the father-of-four from Heaton was gunned down in cold blood. But although detectives believe they are close to catching his killer, no one has been charged yet.

Mini-cab driver Shoakat Khan, who witnessed the execution-style shooting of 'Bash', as he was known, by a masked gunman cannot erase the memory of that horrific night.

"We've changed all the wallpaper in the office and put new carpets in," he said. "But it doesn't take away the memory of what happened. It's just not the same in the office anymore.

"Even though Bash was very quiet you were always aware of his presence because he was such a big and gentle man."

Mr Khan was one of three drivers who escaped death when the gunman pointed his revolver at them and squeezed the trigger, only for the weapon not to fire.

The killer fled, leaving Mr Basharat slumped in a pool of blood after being shot once in the head as he leant against the operator's cabin and then again in the body after he fell to the floor.

Mr Khan said: "We put the picture up to remind us of Bash and as a mark of respect.

"The police have arrested a load of people, but no one's been charged. We just want the killer caught so life can go on."

Detectives believe it could be linked to a road-rage incident involving Mr Basharat and two Afro-Caribbean males in nearby Park Lane and Holme Street the night before his death. A white Renault Clio was later recovered by police after it was returned to a hire company on the day of the shooting.

Anyone with any information should call the incident room on (01274) 373133.