Children are being beaten while attending special religious classes at mosques, claims MP Ann Cryer.

She said she has collected evidence from youngsters who allege they are being thumped, whipped and kicked by "teachers" at madrassas in Keighley.

Mrs Cryer, the town's MP, spoke out after a Channel 4 investigation claimed children at the Emily Street mosque, in Keighley, were being physically abused.

But Mrs Cryer alleged similar treatment was being dished out at other madrassas in the town which are run by imams - religious teachers.

Her evidence has come from youngsters at primary schools where teachers also have overheard complaints.

And she claimed some of the injuries have been witnessed, including one instance where a young boy had knuckle marks on his chest.

But the claims have been categorically denied by Muslim leaders.

Mrs Cryer said youngsters reported that punishment was being dealt out by "teachers and aunties".

"In my view this is a cry for help. They don't talk about these things without good reason. The children are intimidated by the amount of violence," she said.

"This is not just the odd hit or thump - it's persistent."

She passed information on to West Yorkshire Police Child Protection Unit in July but the response was "miserable" she said.

She was now calling on the police to get tougher and to collect enough evidence to prosecute.

"It could end in imprisonment or deportation because imams are here on work visas.

"I don't want it to get that far - I just want this to stop now," she said.

Mohammed Ajaib, of Keighley Muslim Association, said there had been an incident over a year ago and the Child Protection Unit had been invited in to investigate. But no evidence had been found.

He said officials had also been invited to run training sessions in the community centre but so far none had been set up.

"Some people are trying to bring this issue out because they want to undermine the mosques or Muslims in Keighley," he said.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said they had received information via Mrs Cryer that alleged there might be children who had been subjected to bullying and violence at a Keighley mosque.

"We have received no specific information and no formal complaints have been reported to us.

"If anyone does have specific information we would urge them to come forward and report it," he said.