A MUSLIM singles event due to take place in Blackburn has been cancelled after pressure from senior Muslim community members.

The Professional Muslim Singles Matrimonial Event had already been postponed from May because of disapproval from community representatives.

It was rearranged for June 9 at the Blue Diamond Indian Cuisine in Whalley Road but will not now go ahead.

Kamran Beg, the Manchester consultant behind the events, said: "Some female attendees have said that they feel they would be penalised and frowned upon for attending the event, which they feel is much needed."

Mr Beg went on local radio after the first postponement to try to reassure the community that the events were carried out under an Islamic framework.

Under Islamic religion, dating is prohibited and certain Muslim leaders in Blackburn were worried that the method was a threat to the arranged marriage system.

Ibrahim Master, chairman of Lancashire Council of Mosques, said: "Mr Beg must have seen the perception from the Muslim community as an obstacle but has not done enough to reassure the community that this event is Islamic compliant.

"If he gained the backing of an Islamic scholar and allowed community representatives to attend the event, he would have overcome their objections."