PLANS to turn a former pub into Hyndburn's first private school for Muslim girls have been put on hold after concerns were raised over a lack of exercise facilities.

Under the plans the Antley public house, Blackburn Road, Accrington, would be converted to include two classrooms for 30 pupils aged up to 16, along with a computer room, library, staff room and toilet provisions.

It would be open between 9am and 2pm Monday to Friday, and be an important development for Hyndburn's Asian community.

Abdul Qureshi, general secretary for Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: "Parents feel that their children don't get moral education in mixed schools and there is peer pressure on youths, as young as 13, to get involved in sexual relationships."

In additional to national curriculum subjects the school would also teach Pakistani studies and Islamic studies as well as Urdu and Arabian.

Inam Khan, who submitted the application, said: "This is a school not a mosque so we will give a fair overview of each of the sects rather than an intense study of any particular one. I hope to open the school in September and have teachers lined lined up as well as other staff."

The application was deferred after it was noted at a development services committee meeting that there was no area which could form a playground.

Coun Lyn Wilson said: "Most schools in this country have to have playgrounds by law but there is nowhere for these children to exercise, which is morally a dilemma. Young women, even from 9am to 2pm, do need somewhere to exercise." Coun Janet Storey added: "Five hours is a long time to be in a building so it is a worry. I do have a concern that they have no room to exercise and play.

The original application had included land at the rear of the pub for this purpose but it is unlikely to be available as the council's Phoenix Regeneration Programme is looking to develop it.

Mr Qureshi added: "This school would help to educate females in academic subjects but would also teach them about personal responsibilities, and moral values of society and life.

"In many areas they already have a male and a female school, such as in Manchester, so this would be a very important development for Hyndburn.

"But there are still probably less than a dozen in the country and the nearest ones are a primary and secondary school in Blackburn.

"The ones already running are all private schools, which not everyone can afford. But there are three or four which are being partially funded through Government grants."

Hyndburn Borough Council's solicitors will look into the issue and review the plans at the next meeting on August 22. A spokesperson for the Department For Education and Skills said: "Although it is statutory requirement for all new state schools to have a playing field, either on the same land as the school or nearby, there is no regulation for private schools."

For information on the school contact Mr Khan on 01254 235334.