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Followers of one of the world's oldest religions are setting up their global hub in west London.

The World Zoroastrian Organisation's new headquarters are due to open next year in Feltham - a stone's throw from where the faith's most famous son, Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, lived as a young man.

Zorostrianism was founded in ancient Iran some 3,500 years ago by the Prophet Zarathushtra. It was one of the first faiths to worship a single god and, according to the WZO, was the world's most powerful religion for more than 1,000 years.

The number of believers has dwindled to around 175,000 worldwide, with the largest population in India, and the faith has only about 4,500 followers in the UK.

But that is where the WZO, formed in 1980 to support Zoroastrians across the globe, has chosen to open its international HQ.

The charity has bought Bridge House, in Hanworth Road, Feltham, which it is currently leasing to the founders of Space Studio West London.

When the school moves into new purpose-built premises in nearby Tachbrook Road next year, WZO plans to turn half the building into a community centre and rent out the other half as office space.

The organisation, which has regional branches in India, the USA, Canada and New Zealand, says the community centre will also be available for hire by local groups.

WZO secretary Darayus Motivala said: "In the 35 years we've been operating most of our work has been done from members' homes so it will be nice to have a community centre at last.

"As well as supporting Zoroastrians around the world, we do a lot of fundraising work for causes like the Pakistan floods and the Nepal earthquake."

Mr Motivala, WZO chairman Shahpur Captain and WZO president Sammy Bhiwandiwalla visited the charity's new premises last month to present a cheque for victims of the Nepal earthquake to Councillor Bishnu Gurung, who has organised a number of charity events for the cause.

Five facts about Zoroastrianism (according to WZO)