THREE councillors reported to the Standards Board for England over alleged breaches of planning rules have been told they will not be investigated.

Councillors Suleman Khonat, Yusuf Sidat, and Salim Mulla, who sit on Blackburn with Darwen's planning committee, had always said they had done nothing wrong.

Today they said they were pleased with the outcome.

The three were reported to the board, which acts as a watchdog over councillors' behaviour, after a contentious application for a new building for Noorul Islam Mosque, Audley Range.

The building was approved, despite having been recommended for refusal by officers, but neither Coun Sidat nor Coun Mulla attended the meeting.

The complaint came from an Asian resident who lived nearby that some councillors had broken planning rules by predetermining their views on the application and withheld information.

A spokesman for the Standards Board confirmed that the matter had been dropped.

"The decision was taken not to refer the allegation for investigation," he added.

Coun Mulla, who represents Queen's Park, said: "I didn't think I had a case to answer. I am pleased about the decision by the Standards Board, that's all I can say really."

Coun Khonat, member for Shear Brow, added: "Overall I had nothing to fear, but I am pleased at the outcome.

"I always knew that I had not done anything wrong."

Coun Sidat said he was pleased the matter was over.

He added: "I did nothing wrong and had nothing to hide."