WORK has finally began on Clitheroe’s first mosque after years of waiting.

Members of Clitheroe’s small Muslim community should be be able to worship together in their home town for the first time by mid- to late-2010, according to project leaders.

Those behind the plans said they were delighted the facility was only months away from becoming a reality, following years of hard work.

Plans were first approved by members of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s planning committee in 2006.

The ‘place of worship and community partnership centre’ at the disused former Mount Zion Methodist Chapel in Lowergate will feature a host of community events and activities.

Sheraz Arshad, of the town’s Medina Islamic Education Centre, said: “There has been a Muslim community in Clitheroe for 40 years so it is very exciting to every-one that the mosque will provide, for the first time, a way to pray together.

“In the past people have prayed in their own homes or gone to nearby mosques but this will make it much easier for the communtiy to be one.”

After three years of planning and preparation, the first phase of the Clitheroe mosque project started last week and it is anticipated the mosque will open for congregational prayers next year with the community partner-ship centre opening soon after.

It is unusual for such a long time to pass between gaining planning permission and starting work on a develop-ment as planning approval usually lapses if work does not start within three years.

However Mr Arshad said: “We had another three years to make the planning deadline, because of an amendment that went in this month.

"However we were keen to make the mosque a reality as soon as possible.

“It has been very difficult and complicated at times but we planned everything so it would be perfect, not rushed.

“The project could not have progressed without the kind support of our friends and colleagues across all faith and non faith communities.”