TWO village pubs have been closed by police following violence which officers believe was caused by rival drugs gangs.

The George and Dragon and Rood Bar, both in Barrowford, were closed under emergency powers and searched for drugs following the incidents on Friday and Saturday. Five local men were arrested. Three - Aftab Ahmed, Michael Hamilton and Shaffa Ahmed, all from Nelson - were due to appear before Burnley magistrates today charged with violent disorder. The other two were due to be bailed pending further enquiries after being questioned in connection with conspiracy to cause violent disorder.

Magistrates at Burnley were today hear from officers about the weekend incidents and could make further orders closing one or both pubs indefinitely.

The landlord of the George and Dragon, Gisburn Road, Paul Jennings, and father and son Malcolm and Charlie Weaving, who run the Rood Bar, in nearby Church Street, were today unavailable for comment. They were not among those arrested.

Police said they were called to the George and Dragon about 11pm on Friday following reports a man had been attacked outside the pub by a man weilding a hammer.

The following night police were again called to the pub after reports that six men carrying hammers entered the pub. Several people were injured in the incident.

A police spokesman said further enquiries revealed a history of trouble between two factions involving both the George and Dragon and Rood Bar and both were searched for drugs and closed in a bid to prevent further violence. A heavy police presence was on the streets of Barrowford last night to "stop trouble" and reassure the public.

Insp Paul Robinson, of Nelson Police, said: "Following the incidents at the weekend our enquiries revealed a history of previous incidents at both these premises in Barrowford and since we were expecting a possible third night of violence both were closed under powers under the Licensing Act and searched using warrants.

"We have also visited all the other licensed premises in the town to reassure both the licensees and members of the public and we have maintained a police presence in the town since the weekend."

Barrowford councillor Linda Crossley said the weekend's events could be a worrying sign for a community not normally associated with the problems of urban areas.

She said: "I certainly haven't heard of any particular drug problems in the town before but if it is spreading to what is a semi-rural area that is certainly a worry."