LANCASHIRE'S first Muslim state school is expected to move to purpose-built premises and double its number of pupils within five years.

Privately-run Tauheedul Islam Girls' High School, in Shear Brow, Blackburn is due to open its doors as a voluntary-aided school in September 2006.

Around 280 children are expected on the new school's rolls in its first year as it remains on its present site.

But Blackburn with Darwen's Council's education director, Peter Morgan has confirmed the school will be allowed "to grow" and eventually move to a new site.

He said: "The governors, with the support of the authority, will expand the number of pupils to 600 within next five years."

A final six weeks of public consultation on the school proposals began on March 3. The application will then have one last hurdle to overcome when it goes before the School Organisation Committee -- an independent body representing all those involved in education locally.

If it is approved, as expected, Mr Morgan confirmed around 10 new teachers would be recruited with adverts going out nationally.

They would bolster the existing staff of 21.

An unspecified number of learning mentors and classroom assistants will also be brought in.

And in establishing a Muslim state school, the council, Mr Morgan said, was simply reacting to the demands of the community.

He said: "What came out very strongly in consultation was the parents who wanted a Muslim faith education in the same way as someone of a Catholic or Church of England education.

"These parents felt marginalised as they had to seek an education for their children in the independent sector.

"They said although Muslims represent 30 per cent of the community in terms of number of children, they were not being recognised in same way as other faiths."

"What they wanted to do was join the community of schools within the borough and develop with the resources and expertise you get from being in this family.

"I think with this new structure, it will reflect much better the community we have in Blackburn and Darwen."