A Blackburn primary school has become the first in the UK to be credited by the Halal Monitoring Committee.

Daisyfield Primary school, Blackburn, is also the first non-Muslim school to become certified by the committee, the other being Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High school.

Many schools in East Lancashire serve halal meat and poultry, which involves slaughtering animals in a specific way for Muslims, but they are only credited by the less strict Halal Food Authority.

The Halal Monitoring Committee said it inspects poultry and meat from the source to its slaughter as well as packaging and delivery.

Peter Fenton, headteacher of the Clinton Street school, said: “I am pleased that as a school with a high proportion of Muslim children, that our self managed kitchen has been recognised as meeting the standards of the Halal Monitoring Committee for purchase, storage and preparation of our meals.

“This has already been well received by the whole of the school community.”

Moulana Hanif, Halal Monitoring Committee local area representative, said: “We have no words to express our joy at the news that Daisyfield Primary School has become the first primary school in the country to be certified by the Halal Monitoring Committee.

“I would personally like to thank the headteacher Peter Fenton and the management staff at Daisyfield for taking this very important step towards supplying genuine Halal products to the children attending the school.

“Daisyfield has a robust policy in place at the school to ensure there are no issues of cross contamination and ingredients used are suitable for vegetarians.

“We hope that all schools will also follow Daisyfield so that genuine Halal products are provided to Muslim children which is a very important part of our faith.”