The controversial appeal for funds by the Birmingham based charity, Islamic Help, to buy and convert Brierfield Mills into a 5,000 place boarding school for girls raised just £2,000 "from a very small number of individuals".

Information passed to Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, confirms that the donors are now being approached with a view to their money being returned. The Charity Commission ruled earlier that Islamic Help was acting for a purpose outside its charitable objects and that any money donated had to be returned.

Speaking from Westminster, the MP said: "I am making arrangements to meet the trustees and I have a thousand questions to put to them."

The MP added: "If people have particular questions they want me to put to the charity they should get in touch by e mail."

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