A NUMBER of people and cars were stopped and searched on Tuesday evening as part of police investigations into a machete attack.

After two teenagers, both 19, suffered serious leg, hand and stomach injuries in an attack involving a machete in Brunswick Street, Nelson, on Tuesday morning, officers were given section 60 powers to stop and search people or vehicles without suspicion in the central, northern and eastern areas in the town.

A third man, 18, suffered injuries to his arm and was taken to hospital before being discharged later on.

A police spokesman said: "Authority for the powers was rescinded at 4am on Wednesday, with no further incidents of disorder and no linked arrests, although we did search a number of vehicles and individuals."

It is believed the disorder may be connected to two incidents in Nelson on Monday, July 15, including a fight close to Spar in Manchester Road around 11pm and a further report of a fight around 11.40pm in Southfield Street.

Three men aged 19 and an 18-year-old man, all from Nelson, were arrested on suspicion of assault.

A 20-year-old man, also from Nelson, was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a police officer.

Two men, both aged 19, from Burnley, were later arrested on suspicion of assault.

However the 20-year-old-man from Nelson was later released.

It is believed the other men are still in custody.

Det Insp Nikki Bithell said: "We are appealing for information following serious disorder in the Nelson area.

"Three men have been injured, with two of the men suffering serious injuries requiring surgery at hospital.

"While we have made a number of arrests, our investigation is very much on-going."