A £1.5million pound state-of-the-art mosque has opened in Burnley after ten years of fundraising.

The Jamia Masjid Ghausia Mosque in Abel Street opening attracted more than 2,500 men from across the globe.

The mosque, which has been built to meet the demand for the increased number of Muslims in the area, was mainly fundraised for by residents in Daneshouse.

It has prayer facilities over two floors, a room to accommodate 500 women worshippers, a meeting room, control room, library, community room, office rooms, wudu rooms to prepare for prayer and classrooms.

work on the building started four years ago after years of fundraising but has only recently been completed.

The opening saw Burnley Muslim leaders, including Chief Imam Sajid-ul-Hashmi, welcome guests from, Holland, Norway, Pakistan, Spain and across the UK.

The day featured readings from the Quran, songs, prayers, food, speeches from scholars from Pakistan, Birmingham, Bradford and Nottingham and stalls selling clothes.

Zahid Khan, who is on the masjid committee for the mosque said: “We are delighted that the mosque is finally open.

“We have had an amazing response from members of the community who have worked together for the past ten years to get the mosque open.

“Almost 2,500 men came on Sunday, it was a huge success.

“The inside of the mosque is exquisite, it has been decorated with mirrors by a expert from Pakistan which took two years to complete.

"There is also marble from India, carpets from Turkey and light fittings and ceiling from Saudi Arabia.

“The work has been paid for by donations and fundraising all from members of the community and the work done to build the mosque has mainly been by local people.

“The mosque in Colne Road was too small and we needed a larger one to cope with the increase in the number of Muslims in Burnley.”