GIRLS from a Blackburn Islamic school are being encouraged to join the police as part of a pilot scheme to boost the number of Muslim officers in Lancashire.

And Lancashire Constabulary was given a thumbs-up by the headteacher and pupils at Islamiyah School, Willow Street, Little Harwood, following an event yesterday.

Sergeant Karen Edwards, of the force's recruitment department, and Rabiya Ismail, an assistant intelligence officer, gave pupils a talk on the different roles in the police and answered questions.

It was the second Islamic school they had visited in a bid to dispel negative perceptions about the police.

The other was Tauheedul, Bicknell Street, Blackburn.

Although the pilot scheme is confined to Blackburn, it maybe extended across East Lancashire if it proves successful.

Mrs Zarina Seedat, headteacher of the independently funded Islamiyah School, which has 168 pupils aged between 11 and 16, said: "It went really well.

"This event will change perceptions. Our students are well aware of the importance of maintaining law and order, as this is covered extensively in their citizenship lessons.

"Therefore choosing a career in the police force despite their race, colour or religion gives women the right to play a role in maintaining law and order and serving the wider community."

The pupils said they found the event enlightening -- particularly hearing that they could still wear their Hijab - headwear - in the force and be given time to fulfil their prayer obligations.

Yumna Ifzal, 15, said: "Before I didn't think about a career in the police, but now I think it is a good opportunity.

"I would like to go in and work in the streets and get to know the public to see what their needs are."

Maarya Phansa, 15, added: "It was very beneficial. I found it surprising because I thought people in the police just went out catching criminals.

"I would like to work as a communications operator, that would be very interesting."

Miss Ismail said: "I feel that going to the Islamic schools has allowed us to educate the young generation of Blackburn, and remove any barriers they may feel they will face as an individual joining the constabulary.

In October it was revealed that 97 police officers out of 3,600 in Lancashire were from ethnic minorities and that the force had to increase that total to 111 over the next year.