Controversial plans for a new £2million mosque in a Preston conservation area have finally been given the go ahead.

Work on the mosque in Fulwood will start in the next six months after a delay of more than two years, due to trustees being embroiled in a planning row.

The plans for the Masjid-e-Salaam, in Watling Street Road will see the demolition of the current building to be replaced by a prayer hall, four classrooms, accommodation and a 45-space car park.

Mosque leaders said they were delighted at winning the high-profile battle.

Faisal Mansoor, mosque trustee, said: "We are very happy that the application has finally been passed because it has been going on for a long while.

"We are also pleased that we have the support of the residents as we did not want to isolate anyone and we would like to thank the conservation group and the community for their patience."

Mr Mansoor vowed that once work began disruption would be kept to a minimum and he hoped to invite community and church groups along to the opening.

However, Councillor Geoff Driver, chairman of the planning committee, is still opposed to the plans over fears of increased traffic and parking problems.

He said: "I have no problem with the design of the mosque, my problem is the site is not big enough - you can't get a quart into a pint pot.

"The planning committee has made a bad decision and as a result will have lost some credibility."

Councillors supported their officers' proposal to approve the plan by 11 votes to four.

Coun Alan Hackett, spoke in favour of the mosque stating that the design was in keeping with the area. He added: "It has been a long story and on occasions it got a bit more bad tempered than it should have done but the mosque trustees have listened to our concerns and have done as much as they can. The new design fits in with the conservation area."