A MOSQUE at the centre of residents' protests two years ago has been given a permanent seal of approval.

The Sharples Islamic Centre in a terraced house on Ramsey Street, Astley Bridge, was the subject of more than 60 letters of objection when it first opened in 2001 under a two year agreement. But there were just three letters sent to the council's Planning and Highways Committee which met yesterday, allowing permanent use of the house as a mosque.

The mosque must continue to adhere to conditions made in 2001. There will also be a limit of five adult prayer sessions a day and further restrictions on Friday afternoon sessions.

The three letters sent recently were similar to the vast numbers sent in 2001, suggesting car parking problems, noise disturbance and decline in property values.

Cllr John Walsh said: "Many of the former doubts seem to have been answered."

Plans for turning what used to be a madrassa, a learning centre, into a mosque at the site were rejected three times between 1998 and 2001 until the applicants, Massid Salem and the Madrassa Trust, provided four designated parking spaces.

It is felt some of the feared parking problems have been alleviated by many worshippers walking to services. Other mosques nearby are situated on Halliwell Road and Blackburn Road.