A MOSQUE'S leaders were today warned the religious centre would be shut down if they broke planning conditions.

The move came as permission was given for Blackburn's small Shia Muslim community to continue using Jubilee Mill, Logwood Street, as a mosque and religious school.

The councillors' decision came after an 18-month council investigation into claims that hundreds of Shia Muslims often used the mosque, keeping neighbours awake late at night.

A two-year temporary planning premission to use the site ended in October 2001, but Blackburn with Darwen councillors delayed a decision until officers could report back to them.

A report to the planning and highways committee said that officers had seen nothing of concern at the mosque apart from during the 10-day festival of Muhurram, or New Year, when activity increased "markedly."

But even then, according to the report, no breach of planning conditions were witnessed, and the volume of traffic was no greater. The majority of complaints about the mosque had come from one resident, the report said.

Resident Lorraine Chesterton, opposing the application on behalf of neighbours, said: "There have been plenty of occasions when events have taken place until the small hours of the morning, keeping people awake.

"There are often large volumes of traffic, so much so that emergency vehicles have had to stop, turn around and use a different route to get to places."

But a spokesman for the mosque told the meeting: "We are more than happy to abide by the rules laid down.

"We are doing nothing wrong and just want somewhere to worship.

"This is the only place in Blackburn the Shia community have and we are pleased the report shows we are doing nothing wrong."

Planning permission was granted subject to several conditions, including that no external call to prayer should be used, no more than 35 children should attend at any one time, no social functions should be held there and that it should be used only between 7am and 11pm except during Ramadan and Muhurram.

They must also provide 28 days' advance notification to neighbours and the council ahead of those festivals so people knew it will be open longer.

Planning chairman Frank Connor said: "We would warn you that if you even breach one planning condition, we will take enforcement action against you.

"This has been a long saga which we hope is now resolved."

The mosque was the subject of an alleged arson attack at the start of April. The mosque members also submitted copies of BBC news reports from around the world which reported alleged attacks on Shia Muslims.

Police attended the meeting as "a precaution" Coun Connor said.