CONSTRUCTION of a £1.2 million mosque is under way.

The steel frame for the two-storey building is currently being put up in Audley Range, Blackburn.

Project manager Yusuf Seedat, 51, said he expected the structure to be completed by next week so they can begin the next stage of the mosque's construction.

When completed in 2009, the 989 square-metre building, which will have two minarets and a dome, will have the capacity to cater for 1,000 people over two floors.

And Mr Seedat, of Chester Street, Blackburn, said the mosque would cater for the Muslim community for the next 20 to 30 years.

The Noorul Islam mosque came under scrutiny when plans were narrowly approved after Blackburn with Darwen council officers had recommended the scheme be turned down.

Councillors approved the development on the corner of Queen's Park Road despite 92 letters of objection.

And councillors Suleman Khonat, Yusuf Sidat, and Salim Mulla were faced with an investigation over alleged breaches of planning rules. The investigation was dropped.

The mosque will replace the current building in Walter Street which has become too small for the number of worshippers turning up for prayers, forcing some to pray in adjoining Madrassa classrooms.

Mr Seedat said: "We laid the foundations a few months ago and a week ago we were in the position to build the structure.

"A third of it has gone up and we expect it to be completed by the end of this week.

"Then, if everything goes to plan, within two years the Noorul Islam mosque will be completed.

"We have raised around £700,000 of the £1.2 million we need for the building.

"In the new year we will begin fundraising for the remainder of the sum.

"The £700,000 is enough to build the shell of the building.

"When the mosque is finished will keep us going for the next 20 to 30 years.

"We have had a few delays with planning but the construction is on schedule."