AN East Lancashire supermarket is to become one of the first in the country to sell halal pick and mix sweets.

Morrisons, in Railway Road, Blackburn, is one of just 10 stores nationwide selected to pilot the dedicated section, which could be rolled out to its sister stores in Nelson and Accrington if successful.

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Leaders of the Muslim community have welcomed the move and said it will make shopping for sweets much easier.

At the moment people have to look at the ingredients to see if the sweets are suitable to eat as some contain animal products which are not halal.

Morrisons said that the Blackburn store was selected because of its strong world food sales.

Thirty-six halal sweets will be available from the stand which include liquorice sticks, cola bottles and jelly beans, gummy bears and sugared lips, will be weighed in at the checkout.

Alcohol-based colourings and flavourings have also been taken out.

Salim Mulla, chairman of the halal sub committee at the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said he welcomed the move.

He said: “I think there are quite a few manufacturers who sell halal sweets but this is the first major supermarket to sell halal confectionary. I really welcome that.

“It is definitely something the Council of Mosques would support.

“Sweets are very popular with the Muslim community. I think the pick and mix will do really well.”

Abdul Hamid Qureshi, chairman of the Lancashire Council of Mosques, said he also welcomed the introduction of more halal foods into supermarkets.

Mr Qureshi, from Burnley, said: “More and more supermarkets are introducing halal products to meet the needs of the customers, but this is the first halal pick and mix I have heard of.

“A lot of Muslim children buy sweets, but often have to look at the ingredients to see if they are halal. It’s good that they will be able to see they are halal at a glance.”

He added that the move must have been made because of demand from consumers.

“There will be financial reasons behind it,” he said. “Businesses will not just sell products for social needs. Chains such as KFC have started offering Halal products to attract a new, younger audience and a larger demographic.

“All the supermarkets are under incredible pressure these days. They are introducing items that will appeal to more people. The tactics they are using are to increase their customer base, but as long as they are also legitimately serving other needs as well that’s good.”

The nine other stores include Bolton, Preston, Bradford, West Bromwich, Birmingham, Leamington Spa and three in London.

Mr Qureshi added: “The Asian community is more densely populated around Morrisons in Blackburn, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was rolled out to the Nelson store because the town also has a large Muslim population.”

John Brooksbank, store general manager of Morrisons Blackburn ,said: “The 10 stores stocking the Halal sweet range were selected based on their local customers and strong sales of our world foods range.

“Many customers have asked us about Halal sweets, so we have designed and introduced a new range. We are the first big supermarket in the UK to do this. It’s a large range so we hope that it will provide a sweet treat for every taste.

“We would consider introducing the Halal sweets range at other stores, should there be a demand.

“Yummys, the brand available, is a recognised Halal confectionery brand, which we are also selling in single bags in our world food aisle.”

A spokesman for Sugar Rush, which trades on Blackburn market stall, said: “We have quite a wide selection of halal sweets which has grown over time with demand.

“I think Morrisons stocking halal sweets is a positive thing, but I don’t think it will affect business. We have grandparents bringing their grandchildren in, and we sell a lot of confectionary bouquets around Eid.”

Sweet toothed shopper Moosa Teladia, 28, said: “Normally you have to read the ingredients of each sweet and if it contains gelatine then it’s a no. Usually if it’s suitable for vegetarians then it’s suitable for Muslims.”