A MAN used a pickaxe to damage windows at a mental health unit and Job Centre, police said.

Officers said several panes of glass were smashed at The Mount on Whalley Road, Accrington shortly after 10.30am on Friday.

More damage was also caused to windows at the Job Centre.

A man was detained after a short struggle with a police officer who was nearly hit on the head with the pickaxe, officers said.

A Hyndburn police spokesman said: "A member of staff from the Mount Mental Health NHS Clinic contacted police to say an unknown male had just smashed one of the downstairs double glazed windows using what looked like an axe.

"The male then walked off in the direction of the town centre.

"A number of police patrols attended the incident.

"A short time later staff at the local Job Centre rang 999 saying an unknown male had just walked past the Job Centre smashing nine double glazed windows with a pickaxe before walking off in the direction of Church Street.

"Officers observed him walking down Union Street in the direction of the roundabout.

"He was brandishing a black pick axe in his right hand.

"Officers confronted the male shouting at him to drop the pickaxe. Their directions were ignored.

"Officers decided for the safety of the public, to physically restrain the male by his shoulders and attempt to take the axe.

"This resulted in the officer and defendant falling forward to the floor with the male taking a stronger hold of the axe which he has then brought up narrowly missing the officers head."

*A 43-year-old man was arrested and charged with committing criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

He is due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court.