THREE men, one charged with attempted murder, and a teenager have appeared in court after street violence said to have left a man in intensive care.

Shiraz Khan is recovering in hospital with a deep stab wound, which missed his heart by half an inch but pierced his spleen and stomach, after the trouble which was said to involve two rival gangs on Redvers Street, Duke Bar, Burnley, on Saturday night.

He was taken to Burnley General Hospital where he underwent emergency treatment to have his spleen removed. He was yesterday said to be still in intensive care and had been unable to make a statement to police.

Unemployed Nadeem Ashraf, 30, of Cardinal Street, is accused of attempted murder. Waqas Saeed, 22, also jobless, of Waterbarn Street, shopkeeper Faissar Mahmood, 27, of Redvers Street, all Burnley, and a 17-year-old Burnley student all face an allegation of violent disorder.

Ashraf and Saeed were remanded in custody by Burnley Magistrates while their two co-defendants were given bail. The four will face a preliminary hearing at Preston Crown Court on August 28.

Police were called to the area at 7.50pm, after reports that 20 Asian males were involved in a clash in the street.

Two men were also taken to hospital with facial injuries. The alleged incident is being investigated by Pennine Police's Hate Crimes Unit.