A group which aims to the improve the service for pilgrims on the annual Hajj has donated compensation money it won to a hospital.

The British Hujjaj Help Forum was set up earlier this year following complaints by pilgrims concerning the service they were receiving from some British-based tour operators.

In an out of court settlement one tour operator agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to a group of Hajjis (pilgrims) who had been dissatisfied with the level of service they received during this years Hajj.

Salim Loonat, spokesperson for the British Hujjaj Help Forum said, "The Hajj is an experience in itself but it seems some tour operators are cutting corners to cut costs.

"We set the group up in March of this year and decided it was time someone did something about the issues relating to the level of service a pilgrim can expect."

"The Hajj Forum is also helping a few Hajis in Blackburn who have had problems with their tour operators this year".

The group aims among other things to monitor the performance and prices of UK Hajj tour operators and provide a complaints procedure for Hajji's.

It also looks to ensure that Ulama's (religious guides) are used effectively during the Hajj.

There are also plans to provide independent inspectors during the Hajj and report back findings using a simple assesment form. The forum donated the entire compensation to hospitals in the sub-continent. The money went to the Alipore Hospital in South Gujarat, The Hayat Hospital in Himmat Nagar, Gujarat, the Hajra Noor Hospital in Bangladesh and the Civil Hospital based in Karachi.

Some tour operators have come under increasing pressure over the past few years concerning the level of service they provide to Hajjis.

In 2002 Asian Image printed an exclusive account of a group of Hajjis who spoke of their shock and anger at being charged higher prices and yet receiving a sub-standard service.

Pilgrims were then told that they were in the holy lands so there must be an element of patience and tolerance. However, some pilgrims hit back saying they felt they were being cheated and lied to by people who abused their trust.

The annual Hajj is obligatory to Muslims and must be performed at least once in a lifetime.