Kingston Mosque will reopen to worshippers tonight after a fire ravaged part of the internal structure forcing it to close last month.

Muslim worshippers including children had to evacuate the building in East Road as the fire spread from the roof to the inside staircase on the evening of Tuesday, June 9.

Fearing the group would not have a place to worship, Father Martin Hislop had welcomed the Muslim community into St Luke’s Church facilities in Burton Road.

John Bunyan Baptist Church also opened its doors as did Kingston College for the ongoing month of Ramadan.

But the mosque has now been deemed safe to worship in – days before the Muslim festival of Eid.

Faisal Hanjra, trustee at Kingston Mosque, said: “We have managed to carry on praying together and using the facilities offered by the community. We are very grateful to all those who helped.

“We are looking forward to using the mosque again and in time for Eid. After Eid we will be looking to do something for the community to say thank you.”

The Kingston Mosque appeal has raised about £50,000 for repairs to date.