THREE people have been arrested after a man had his leg broken in a brawl outside a pub last night.

The incident happened at 9.50pm outside the Hope and Anchor pub in Whalley Road, Accrington.

Three people have been arrested after the fight and a 46-year-old man was taken to hospital with a broken leg.

Another man, a 49-year-old, was also taken to hospital with minor injuries and has since been discharged.

An investigation is underway and police are appealing to anyone who saw what happened to come forward.

Detective Inspector Mark Winstanley said: “We are examining CCTV and speaking to witnesses to find out exactly what happened.

“It was a sunny and busy evening with lots of people outside the pub, a number of pedestrians in the area and passing traffic.

"I believe a number of people will have seen what happened and I would ask those people to come forward.

“We know that some people intervened and I would also appeal to them to contact us.”

He said that this stage the attack was not being linked directly to the England v Slovenia football match earlier in the day.

It is understood that the disturbance happened when a group of men walked past the pub, where another group of men were congregating.

Three local men aged 34, 35 and 45 have been arrested on suspicion of assault and are currently being questioned by officers at Greenbank police station.

Anyone with information can contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.