PROTESTORS forecast social unrest after a controversial mosque was approved in Teesside yesterday.

Stockton Borough Council voted in favour of work beginning on a place of worship on the corner of Westbourne Street and Bowesfield Lane, to replace the existing mosque on Hartington Road.

The vote came after a decision was made earlier in the month to try to find a different site for the Muslim building, following residents' protests, but no better place was found.

Those opposed to the building now believe that it - and the potential traffic problems it could bring - may split the town's Muslim community and other local people.

"It's a very delicate issue for race relations in this town," said one protestor speaking at the meeting. "It will be the forerunner in a severe downturn of social relations.

"There will, in my view, be a tsunami of social unrest. The responsibility will be on the heads of those who approved it."

Meanwhile, despite re-iterating that the mosque would be open to everybody to use, Al-Samarraie, design consultant for the project, admitted that he was growing tired of "pleasing everybody left, right and centre."

As the mosque was approved, Muslims in the packed planning meeting applauded, but a protestor yelled towards the councillors: "I hope you all like your election seats, because we won't be voting for you."

It will have a public library and a 90ft minaret.