AN Islamic school in Nelson is hoping to expand to a new site and breathe new life into an almost vacant office block.

Leaders at the Fountains of Knowledge charity want to take over the Innovation Centre building in Brunswick Street, which the charity recently bought.

They are planning the expansion to ease pressure on Al Ikhlaas Primary School in Norfolk Street, which the charity opened in 2010.

Charity bosses said the primary school, graded ‘outstanding’ after an Ofsted inspection in 2015, was now at full capacity.

A planning application has been lodged with Pendle Council seeking change of use from offices to school.

A statement of support submitted on behalf of the Fountains of Knowledge said: “Given the success of the school, local demand has increased and the school is now operating at full capacity.

“The management team seek to expand into new premises to meet the increasing demand.

“This will be accomplished with an ‘all-through’ school spread across two sites, providing seamless education for 0 to 16-year-olds.

“The existing site at Norfolk Street would continue to facilitate children aged four to 11, while the new site would facilitate pre-school age children on the ground floor and children aged 11 to 16 on the first floor.”

The charity said the Innovation Centre was seen to be in the right location for the education use sought. It said there are large amounts of vacant office space in Nelson.

It also said: “There is also a well-known shortage of secondary school places in Pendle, with many children from the Walverden ward having to travel all the way to Colne Primet.”

No one was available from the Fountains of Knowledge charity.