PLANS to create Lancashire's first state-funded Muslim faith school have been given the go-ahead despite a rebellion from half of a council's ruling cabinet.

Four Blackburn with Darwen councillors -- including one of the authority's deputy leaders and its regeneration chief -- abstained rather than vote against the plans at a meeting last night.

It is the first time the cabinet, formed in 2001, has been split.

The borough now remains on course to invite one of Blackburn's seven privately-funded Muslim girls' schools to come under local education authority control -- a move opposed by the National Union of Teachers.

Ewood councillors Maureen Bateson, executive member for citizens rights, and John Milburn, in charge of finance, abstained alongside deputy leader Kate Hollern, a Wensley Fold councillor, and regeneration boss Andy Kay, who represents Higher Croft.

But council leader Bill Taylor, an Audley councillor, education councillor Mahfooz Hussain, who represents Bastwell, housing boss Mohammed Khan, a Wensley Fold councillor, and the council's other deputy leader, Darwen Sunnyhurst's Sue Reid voted in favour.

Coun Taylor said: "The abstentions didn't surprise me. As a party, we have a wide breadth of people and different positions. A lot of work lies ahead before it happens."

Yesterday, Coun Kay spoke to oppose faith schools saying the council should concentrate on integration.

Coun Bateson also released a statement which said: "Faith schools have played a significant role in history as part of the state education system. However, many people in education and local government have an opposition to faith schools, myself included."

Work will now begin to Tauheedul School in Shear Brow under LEA control by 2006, and take in 700 girls.

However, a full council meeting on January 30 could stop the plans. Conservatives support the principle of the plans, but want to see detailed costings before any agreement. According to the report, unofficial segregation is already an issue in existing community schools.

Tauheedul headteacher Iqbal Patel said: "We want to provide choice to all parents of Muslim backgrounds without having to charge fees, but we'll always teach our pupils they are British citizens who must live in cultural harmony."

Simon Jones, secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "The NUT would prefer to see a move towards students from different backgrounds working closely together."