A MAN has appeared before Blackburn magistrates charged in connection with what police described as a knife fight outside a Blackburn nightclub.

The court watched extensive CCTV footage of the incident outside the Switch and Nocturnal nightclubs which showed a large number of males involved in violence and wielding weapons, including a metal stair rail.

The footage showed violence inside the nightclub building and in the doorway before spilling out onto the street.

Stephen Hunter, 30, of Thornton Close, Blackburn, pleaded not guilty to violent disorder on August 19 and threatening a person with an offensive weapon, a knife.

He was sent in custody to stand trial at Preston Crown Court.

Following the brawl, police appealed for information about those involved.

A 15-year-old boy, three 16-year-olds boys, and two men, aged 18 and 20, all from Blackburn, were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder.

They were all bailed until dates in September.

Two nightclubs operate from the same building in St Peter Street – Switch on the ground floor and Nocturnal on the first floor.

Police said the incident was related to the Nocturnal nightclub.

There was an urgent licensing review for the premises at Blackburn Town Hall four days after the incident.

Switch said in a statement on Facebook that the council has asked both operators of the building not to open while the “legalities” could be arranged.

It is understood the two clubs had started out as one entity but later became two separate nightclubs – but did not arrange two separate licences.

Sgt Gary Hennighan said: “Due to the serious nature of the disorder that took place at Nocturnal nightclub in the early hours of Sunday, August 19, we had no choice but to call for an expedited review of the licence.

“This decision was not taken lightly but first and foremost was to ensure the safety of people having a night out in Blackburn.

“I am keen to point out that the disorder is related to the upstairs Nocturnal nightclub rather than the ground level Switch – which has also been affected by this incident.

“This kind of incident is fortunately rare at licensed premises but we will take all available courses of action to ensure that pubs and clubs are run safely and take action against those who fail to uphold their licensing obligations.”