A STREET was closed after a public brawl with cricket bats and metal bars.

The incident involving three men in Scaitcliife Street, Accrington, left one lying on the ground injured.

Police said they believed two vehicles had parked up outside the Last Orders pub before the incident.

Two men from one vehicle spoke with a third man over a previous dispute, it is understood. People in the street are said to have flagged down a passing police officer after seeing the man lying on the floor surrounded by discarded weapons.

DS Mark Haworth-Oates, of Eastern Division CID, said: “There has been a confrontation between three males, during the course of which weapons including metal bars and cricket bats were used. Police were passing by and were flagged down by a member of the public.”

Police cordoned off the scene for a number of hours while weapons and the remaining vehicle was recovered and evidence from the scene was collected.

DS Haworth-Oates said: “The other two males have gone to the police station and reported the incident.

“We do believe it was not a random attack but based on a historical dispute.”

The men involved were interviewed following the incident and were yesterday released on bail pending further enquiries.

Police said they were interested in speaking with anyone who witnessed the incident, which involved three Asian men who had been driving a grey Mercedes and a green Yaris before the incident at 4.30pm on Monday on Scaitcliffe Street.

Information can be passed on by calling police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.