MUSLIMS are being given tips on spotting potential terrorists in a bid to prevent a London bombing-style attack on Lancashire.

The initiative is part of a ground-breaking package of counter-terrorism tactics by Lancashire Constabulary which forces across the country are now interested in copying.

Officers have been going into communities predominantly but not exclusively Muslim - and giving presentations on what sort of unusual behaviour to look out for.

They have also outlined court cases to show evidence of why there is a need for such vigilance.

Today Muslim leaders backed the pioneering move and pledged to help the police.

The suicide bombers responsible for the July 7 attacks on London, which killed 52 people and injured 700, were British-born Muslims who seemed to be respectable members of the community one of them was a teacher.

Police said there was no intelligence of any planned attacks and their initiative was preventative.

Detective Chief Inspector Marc Vincent said: "There needs to be a clear agenda for counter terrorism to be debated among the public, allowing the community to put in place their own measures to counteract terrorism, and not simply an expectation by the force that everything should be reported to the police."

Mr Vincent said the Lancashire model had been developed for countering terrorism within the community following a review of the threat posed by the radicalisation of Muslim youths.

"In Lancashire, officers have given presentations to the community on what sort of unusual behaviours they should be aware of, how the community can help prevent terrorism and shared examples of real life court cases to provide the public of tangible evidence for the need to be vigilant."

Lancashire Council of Mosques secretary Salim Mulla said:"The Lancashire Council of Mosques has a long standing relationship with the police and this will continue regarding this scheme and will assist the police anyway we can if it makes a difference.

"There will always be a minority of Muslims who have a problem with the scheme but the majority of Muslims already seek to denounce and disassociate themselves from terrorists and acts of terrorism."