A MAN was taken to hospital with head injuries after an eight-man brawl in a residential street.

It happened in Princess Street, Great Harwood, at about 4.30pm yesterday and a 17-year-old was in custody last night after being arrested.

Police said one of the males had an iron bar while another was armed with a stick.

A small section of the road was cordoned off for several hours as police investigated.

Officers believe it may have been connected to a mass brawl involving 20 men which happened in the same road in April last year.

Lancashire Police Inspector Des Barr said: “There was a disturbance between eight Asian males fighting between themselves. One received head injuries but they were not life-threatening.

“I can’t be 100 per cent sure but we do believe it’s a continuation of the problems in the early part of last year.”

The injured man was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital and neighbours were left shocked by the incident.

Robert Slinger, 71, a retired textile worker, said: “We heard that a man was lying on the floor for about 40 minutes.

“It’s really frightening and you certainly don’t need it. We came to live here for some peace and quiet.”

Lancashire Constabulary said in a statement last night: “A 17-year-old boy from Great Harwood has been arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault and remains in police custody. A number of police patrols remain in the area and are providing reassurance to local residents.”