A mosque today announced the unprecedented move of inviting BNP members and supporters to the Keighley building in a bid to build bridges between different faiths and communities.

Through the pages of the Keighley News, members of the Medina Mosque, in Spencer Street, sent out the blanket invitation to people in the town to an open day on Sunday.

They are particularly keen for the town's two BNP councillors and those who voted for them to accept their offer.

Shahid Hussain, assistant to the general secretary, would also welcome the presence of BNP leader Nick Griffin.

Mr Hussain said: "I don't think anyone in the country, like us, has asked the BNP and those who have voted for them to come to talk to us.

"If they want, they can opt for an extremist opinion but we want them to come and see us before they do that."

The open day comes two days before parents at Holy Family School gather for an inter-cultural evening to mark the 40th anniversary of the opening of the school.

Its aim is also to bring members of the different communities together.

The Medina Mosque (pictured) will be open to guests from 10am to 6pm, as part of the second national mosque open day organised by UK Islamic Mission. This year it will take on added significance because of events throughout the summer -- including the Bradford Council elections, the BBC's Secret Agent programme and Channel 4's Edge of the City broadcast.

Mr Hussain this week issued a response to a number of statements recently published in the Keighley News. In it he said that the status quo in Keighley could not continue.

He said extremists wanted a breakdown of dialogue and admitted that a silence from the Asian community in Keighley should not have been allowed to develop.

"We believe that there is no real dialogue in the communities of Keighley," he said.

Speaking from the Labour conference in Brighton, Keighley MP Ann Cryer said: "I was delighted to read the statement and welcome this very constructive and positive contribution to the debate that underlines the need for, and benefit of, continued open and frank discussion on all sides.

"I will be at the mosque on Sunday and look forward to discussing ideas then and in the future."

Although BNP councillor Chris Kirby welcomed the invitation, he would be unable to attend the event. He said: "I don't see any problem with this event. At the end of the day if it builds bridges, it is a good thing. It would be something that I would think about going to but, unfortunately, I won't be about."

Cllr Angela Clarke, who also recently won a seat on Keighley Town Council for the BNP, failed to keep a promise to call the Keighley News back.

Tuesday's event at Victoria Hall is being organised by Holy Family's parent-teacher association.

Sean Gilligan, deputy head teacher of Holy Family School, said: "The inter-cultural event is the first of its kind organised by the school and we hope that it will be the first of many other events that will encourage greater contact and understanding in our community."