SIKHS will not be asked to take off their turbans at airports.

The Government yesterday announced that security staff would use metal detectors to search the religious head-dresses.

Manjit Singh, who helped organise a petition singed by more than 350 Sikhs in Huddersfield, welcomed the news yesterday.

The Birkby man said: “I’m very pleased with the decision and the whole community will be pleased.”

European Union regulations force any Sikh who triggers an airport metal detector to remove their turban for inspection.

But transport minister Theresa Villiers yesterday announced a compromise system which will operate at British airports for an 18-month trial period.

Anyone wearing a turban who triggers a scanner will have their turban searched with a hand-held metal detector.

Mr Singh welcomed the compromise.

He said: “The Sikh religion says no-one is allowed to take off the turban except the person wearing it.

“We know security is needed everywhere but we have modern technology which allows a search to take place without removing the turban.”