COUNCILLORS have given the go-ahead for a mosque to be built from a former tyre depot in Blackburn despite planners' warnings it could lead to traffic chaos.

The scheme will convert the single-storey building on the corner of Copperfield Street and Dorrit Street.

But local companies objected, fearing it could hamper their businesses.

Peter Clarkson, who runs Holdex timber merchants on nearby Bennington Street, said his firm received deliveries from articulated lorries three or four times a day and his company had "grave concern for the effect this may have on our transport operation". Another company, CDM Precision Engineering, also objected, saying it already have difficulties with traffic. Mr Clarkson said: "It's an industrial street but there is only one access. The council will have to do something with it.

"They have told us the mosque won't be used during the day but I can't see that. These places tend to be used quite a lot."

The prayer hall is expected to hold around 200 people, although the applicants say they only expect 30-50 to attend the five-times-a-day prayer meetings. The building will also be used for teaching between 5pm and 7.30pm Monday to Friday.

A report to the planning committee recommended the application be turned down .

Coun Frank Connor, chairman of Blackburn with Darwen planning committee, said the committee's decision to overturn the recommendation from planning officers meant the scheme would come back to the next planning committee with suggested conditions for its use.

Coun Connor said: "Obviously a planning committee is entitled to overturn officers' recommendations."

He said the vote in favour of approval had been close. Coun Connor said: "It could have gone either way but it was not a major surprise the recommendation got overturned."

The applicant, Mr A Khaliq, was unavailable for comment.