A mosque has been demolished as plans progress to expand it into a modern centre.

The temple, in Mote Road, Maidstone, has been a hub for the town’s Muslims for more than two decades will be built into a three-storey structure with three shops.

The plans to redevelop the place of worship were originally approved by Maidstone Borough Council in December 2016.

Dr Muhammad Shabbir Usmani, Imam of Maidstone Mosque said: "We hope that the demolition work will be completed by the end of November.

"It will then be regenerated into modern buildings that facilitate the wider community.

"These new facilities will include classrooms for the children, more space to pray, wash and rest, a new library and a flat.

"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."

Dr Usmani, who has been Imam at Maidstone Mosque for 20 years, hopes that the new place of worship will be finished by the end of April next year.

"We had planned to begin the work in the summer but there was a delay. We are still very ambitious, we've got to work hard with our contractors and engineers.

"The holy month of Ramadan will begin in May, so every night about 80 and 90 people turn up to do their prayers for the month, so our intention is to re-open before then. But we've got to be patient.

"We closed this site in September and since then we've been hiring a home in Park Wood called Heather House, where we do our weekly Friday prayers. The facilities are very good, there is lots of parking and an open area."

The planning process has been marred by protests from anti-Islam and far-right activists in the past couple of years.

In January 2017, around 15 members of the South East Alliance voiced their opposition to the expansion of the site.

Counter demonstrations were held by the left-wing Kent Anti-Racism Network, who outnumbered their rivals by around three to one and later enjoyed tea and biscuits inside the mosque with worshippers.

In September 2017, a dozen Britain First members demonstrated outside Maidstone Mosque.

However, this inadvertently raised £120 towards the development of the new centre, after a rival left-wing group, the Maidstone Anti-Racist Network promised to donate £10 for every member of the group who attended.

Recalling the protests, the Imam said: "We must be very thankful to the local media, including the Kent Messenger, local BBC, other TV channels. We must thank the local community at large, regardless of whoever they are they're very supportive. They turned to the mosque to help us.

"As for those people who have negative views about Muslims, they are in the minority and no doubt they have a right to express their views. But as long as the people express their views in a gentle way. Not to abuse or not to violate, or to cause violence, it's acceptable to express their views."