The Department for Education and Skills has given the go-ahead for a new primary school for Hindu children in north-west London. The new faith school will be created by a £10 million project in the London borough of Harrow where about 20 per cent of the population is Hindu. The UK's 700,000-strong Hindu community has broadly welcomed the move. At present, Hindu parents do not have the option to send their offspring to a state-funded school based on their faith.

I-Foundation, a Hindu charity that lobbied the government for the school said it would "offer a unique choice for Hindu parents."

The school will be established and run in a joint venture with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

Nitesh Gor, a spokesman for the I-Foundation, which has run a private Hindu school in Hertfordshire for 20 years, said: "Parents are becoming increasingly concerned about their children losing touch with their culture and religion. Many feel the need for educating children not only with academics but also with firm grounding in their spiritual and cultural values."

He explained that the new Hindu school would be "dedicated to developing each child's full potential spiritually, morally and academically".

"Its vision is to deliver a high standard of education within a spiritual atmosphere, preparing students to become individuals of good character, discipline and competence."

Mr Gor revealed that the I-Foundation would be working closely with Harrow Council, other schools, the local community and education experts to ensure that pupils would have a strong appreciation of other world faiths.

He said: "Our intent is to ensure that the school is fully integrated and working in synergy with the local community and schools."