PLANS to create Lancashire's first Muslim state school have been put on hold after backbench councillors demanded the chance to debate the proposals.

The group has taken advantage of Blackburn with Darwen's call-in procedure, which enables them to scrutinise decisions taken by the authority's Labour-controlled executive board.

Four members of the executive board voted in favour of inviting the Tauheedul private Muslim girls school, Shear Brow, Blackburn, into the state sector. The other four abstained from the vote.

The proposals also include twinning other schools after it was reported that "de facto segregation" existed in many secondary schools.

Under the council's old committee system, councillors would have been able to discuss the proposals before a decision was taken.

But under the new executive board system, decisions are taken by the Labour cabinet of eight. They are only discussed at overview and scrutiny committees if a minimum of 10 backbench councillors think they should be debated.

As a result of the call-in, a special meeting of the education overview and scrutiny committee will discuss the issue on Tuesday.

Councillors who demanded the call-in have asked for further information on "the contribution of faith schools to the polarisation of school communities."

There is also concern at the lack of consultation on the final proposals.

Conservative councillors are also concerned that the fact no cost implications have been considered.

Andy Docherty, assistant director of legal services, said: "The call-in process allows councillors who are not members of the executive board to ask questions of relevant executive members as to the reasons for the decision before it is implemented. The committee's powers include the right to require the executive board to look at the issue again and to consider any views expressed by the committee before making a final decision."

The 10 councillors included five Lib Dems, four Conservatives and one Labour backbencher.

Lib Dem education spokesman Imtiaz Patel said: "All members of the council should be given the opportunity to debate it and make clear where they stand.

"If the proposal has the backing of the whole council, rather than just four members of the executive board, it will give the decision more credibility and show the new school it has widespread support."

There was anger at Thursday's full council when Coun Mahfooz Hussain, in charge of education, failed to mention the faith schools in his quarterly report.

Mayor Tony Humphrys said it had been excluded because it had been the subject of a call-in.

But Coun Paul Browne, leader of the Lib Dems, said: "It is just another example of them trying to stifle debate."

Council leader Bill Taylor said: "We welcome input from scrutiny on any matter.

"The proposals are effectively frozen until the scrutiny has considered them."