THE Moroccan community in Trowbridge had a VIP visitor on Friday. Derek Conway, Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup was in west Wiltshire to learn more about the thriving Moroccan community in the area.
He was shown around the Brown Street mosque with west Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison and visited the site of the proposed Moroccan Community Centre in Innox Road.
Dr Murrison said: "It went extremely well. Derek Conway made a number of suggestions for funding for the community centre, which I am following up.
"I very much hope that before too long we will be seeing some development on the site."
The centre, which is to be alcohol and drug free, is for the use of the whole community.
A lease has already been negotiated with Wiltshire County Council but now funding has to be found before it can go ahead.
Dr Murrison hopes the success of the Moroccan community in Trowbridge, which has successfully integrated into local life, will be an example to others.
He said: "I hope this project will act as a beacon for other communities because there is no doubt that the Moroccan community in Trowbridge is a valued and well-respected part of the community and other areas can learn from that."
It is believed Trowbridge is home to the largest Moroccan community outside of London.
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