MUSLIMS have blamed the British National Party (BNP) for stirring opposition to their Clitheroe mosque plans after a centre was again targeted by vandals.

Medina Islamic Education Centre MIEC), in Holden Street, is a charity-based organisation that has fought a long battle for permission to use part of its base as a mosque.

Police were notified following the incident, which involved the window of the MIEC being put through, and detectives are hoping a CCTV camera facing the centre can shed some light on what happened.

It is the latest in a long line of attacks since the MIEC was established in 1998. The first application to add a Mosque to the centre was in April 1998 and since this tension has risen between certain groups in the community.

The BNP has opposed the plan and also handed out leaflets stating how the mosque would not be beneficial to Clitheroe.

Sheraz Arshad, community project manager, said believes bad publicity had heightened tension in the area. He said: "The BNP didn't get many seats in the last election but they are quite active in Clitheroe. The leaflet campaign against the mosque told people that their house prices would fall and it would create traffic and pollution.

"But they don't seem to realise that it wouldn't be like your normal mosque, just an extension on the back of the centre for a small number of Muslims in the area.

"I don't understand why people target an education centre where young children come to learn - it's dangerous."

The MIEC along with the Ribble Valley Against Racism group distributed a leaflet entitled 'The Mosque Threatens No-one!' to try and create a better feeling within the community.

BNP spokesman Phillip Edwards said he did not believe the party had heightened tension, claiming it was already there. He said: "The BNP is only saying what the local people are thinking but are too afraid to say for fear of being called racist."

An application has been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate appealing against the decision by Ribble Valley Council planning committee to turn down the latest application .

Police are investigating the vandalism. A police spokeswoman said: "The glass on the centre was damaged by bodily pressure or an unknown instrument

"House to house inquiries haven't turned anything up and we would appreciate it anyone with information came forward."