The reconstruction of a town centre mosque is a year behind its original schedule.

Foundations have just been laid at the Mote Road in Maidstone site where Muslims in the County Town have worshipped since the mid 1990s.

The old mosque was demolished in November with a three-storey site set to take its place.

Dr Muhammad Shabbir Usmani, Imam of Maidstone Mosque, hoped the new mosque would open in April, in time for the holy month of Ramadan in May.

However passers by will see little sign of the new mosque.

Dr Usmani said: "We've had some setbacks, we had to change our contractor as the price went up and we couldn't afford it.

"We've just finished laying the foundations. It's going to be another 10 months before we open.

"We're working hard in the mean time to make sure we open in March 2020 and everything goes to plan from there."

Since the old mosque closed in September last year Muslims have been worshipping at Heather House in Park Wood.

Once complete, the new mosque will house classrooms, a library, offices, kitchen, three shops and one flat.

Dr Usmani hopes the redevelopment will help "facilitate the wider community".

Dr Usmani said: "Our previous space did not allow us to do this, but we would also like to work with churches in the area to provide space for homeless people too."

There has been opposition, Britain First and other anti-Islamic groups have protested the proposals, describing the three-storey structure as a "mega mosque".

Facebook removed adverts promoting a petition to halt construction earlier this year.

When planning was approved in December 2016, Maidstone Borough Council had received 20 objection letters, compared to 150 letters of support.

Earlier this year Cllr Martin Round revealed he had received death threats from anti-Islamic protesters, along with other members of Maidstone Borough Council's planning committee.

He said: "My life was threatened. The chair, vice chair and myself received really serious abuse.

"I understand some council officers also received intimidating letters and messages."

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