A KEIGHLEY Imam attended the opening of a "breathtaking" mosque which has risen from the ashes of one destroyed in a blaze nearly eight years ago.

Around £12 million damage was caused when fire ripped through the Baitul Futuh Mosque, in Morden, London.

Now, following a huge fundraising effort by the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, a new building has been unveiled.

Abdul Hadi Masood, Imam at the Baitul Haleem mosque of Keighley Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, was amongst those present.

He said: "Men, women and children of our community pledged and donated around £20 million for this redevelopment.

"Looking at the breathtaking structure, I think we have all been more than compensated for our financial sacrifices.

"Keighley's Ahmadiyya Muslim community participates in charity walks, the poppy appeal and Marie Curie collections to raise thousands of pounds for British charities, and annually donates money to Manorlands as well as food to foodbanks and essentials to Keighley Women's Aid. It also organises street cleans, plants trees, visits nursing homes and donates gifts to children in hospital over Christmas.

"I hope we can diversify our activities and look at ways in which we can make a bigger impact to change people's lives for the better."