A PRESTON family has pioneered a hi-tech way of calling Muslims to prayer.

Rather than the traditional Azaan approach in the East, where a Muezzin would climb to the top of a mosque's minaret and call people to pray, the Patel family has pioneered a text-messaging service to call Muslims to the mosque five times a day.

And the service even allows local mosques to keep people in touch with what's going on in the community.

The service is provided through a website, www.PatelsCornerShop.com, and access is free.

The site is managed by Bilal, Shahida and Sufia Patel.

Bilal said: "Prayer is absolutely obligatory to Muslims. It's not prayer for its own sake though. "It is actually very beneficial for people to take time out from what they're doing during the day to reflect on a spiritual level.

"I've found prayer to be a great way to calm down and it's a great stress-buster.

"Whatever religion people follow it's good to take time out on a regular basis. Luckily, as a Muslim, I have a great excuse to do just that."

So far the response to the idea has been excellent. Sufia added: "Every single mosque and organisation we've approached has been enthusiastic.

"We've got the Lancashire Council of Mosques and the Muslim Council of Britain behind us.

"Young men and women have been especially keen since they're the ones more likely to have mobiles and use the Internet."

Shahida makes the Azaan -- or prayer call -- on-line. In the near future, the mosques will make the calls and will also send messages to members.

Bilal added: "The website also has a WAP site where people with WAP phones can check prayer times for the day. But you haven't seen anything yet -- watch this space!"