BLACKBURN’S skyline has an imposing new addition after a giant dome was lowered into place onto a mosque.

The seven-metre-wide bronze-coloured dome forms a central part of the new £1.2million Noorul Islam mosque, which is being built just off Audley Range in Blackburn.

Work began building the foundations of the mosque a year ago this week, and it is expected to take another year to complete.

The dome, which was lowered into position by a crane at around 1pm today, is made of enforced plastic.

It took just a matter of minutes to be raised from the ground and positioned on the roof of the building as around 100 bystanders looked on.

Project manager Yusuf Seedat, 52, said everything went smoothly.

He said: “It fits like a glove doesn’t it? A job well done. We’re really happy with it.”

His colleague Faisal Patel added: “The dome is such an important part of this mosque project.

"It is a focal point and can be seen from miles around. We are all very proud of it.”

The construction of the mosque has been slightly delayed this summer due to the bad weather.

But it is still hoped to have an opening date of next August.

When completed the 989 square-metre building will have the capacity to cater for 1,000 people over two floors.

And Mr Seedat, of Chester Street, Blackburn, said the mosque would cater for the Muslim community for the next 20 to 30 years and will replace a smaller mosque in Walter Street.

He said the current venue has become too small for the number of worshippers turning up for prayers, forcing some to pray in adjoining Madrassa classrooms.

Mr Seedat said: “If everything goes to plan, within a year the Noorul Islam mosque will be completed.

“We have raised around £900,000 of the £1.2 million we need for the building and we are so proud of it so far.

“When finished it will be a real asset for the community.”