POLICE in Burnley have slammed late-licensing laws after a 'disgusting' brawl in the town centre this morning.

About 15 people were involved in the fight in Hammerton Street at about 7am, in which a man had his head stamped on and had to be rushed to hospital.

Officers said he was lucky not to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

Inspector John Fryer said: "This was a really serious and shocking disturbance, especially at that time in the morning. Stamping on someone's head is absolutely appalling and disgusting. Fortunately the lad is okay, although he has still gone to hospital because it's a head injury.

"The ridiculous licensing laws mean a lot of places in Burnley stay open well into the morning now, and why on earth the government allow places to open to these times is beyond belief.

"We've got people walking around minding their own business and going to work at that time, and they have to see drunken idiots fighting like this. We're sick and tired of it, it's happening for too often.

"I've been in the police 27 years and places used to close at 2am. They said extending the hours would bring in the café culture, but you certainly don't have a café culture in Burnley, and this is what you get."

It is not known what sparked the brawl at this stage.

New licensing laws were introduced in England and Wales in 2005, meaning pubs, bars and nightclubs could apply to stay open later, with some allowed to sell alcohol 24-hours-a-day.

*Four men have been arrested on suspicion of intending to cause grievous bodily harm, a 38-year-old from Burnley, a 28-year-old from Padiham, a 17-year-old from Burnley, and another male who has not yet been identified.