A BAR owner today insisted his venue was one of the safest in town after axing a dance night amid fears of violence.

Adrian Garner said he had taken the step following concerns from police that the weekly event was attracting the wrong crowd to Bar Ibiza/Clitheroe Kates, in Mincing Lane, Blackburn.

But Mr Garner believes a fight, last Thursday, which sparked the move was an isolated incident.

The bar attracts regulars during the day and younger people in the afternoon and evenings.

There is drag queen Ma Danty on Friday and on Sundays it is known as a gay venue.

For the past four years the Thursday dance night, led by local DJs from Highercroft and Shadsworth, has taken place.

Mr Garner said it had always passed by without trouble until last Thursday, when the woman said she was hit on the forehead with a glass.

This followed the police being called on two other occasions that week to alleged assaults, prompting them to request the Thursday night entertainment was stopped.

Mr Garner said: "We feel it is penalising the kids but we will work with the police to resolve it as we have a good relationship with PC Steve Finlay, the licensing officer.

"We have scrapped it for two months and I am putting my money where my mouth is as it could be costing me £30,000 to £40,000-a-year turnover. I don't feel it is attracting the wrong people -- we have never had a serious problem, but we will review the situation over these two months.

"It was an isolated incident and the police have got it into their heads that we are attracting the wrong crowd but we are playing the music that is on Top of the Pops.

"It is one of the safest and most popular bars in town and it is very, very successful.

"It is predominantly a gay bar -- I don't think people are afraid of coming here. We get a lot of people who want to come along and have a good time. I have been in this business for 30 years and if there was a serious problem I would be the first to admit it."

PC Finlay said: "They are isolated incidents but, because we want to reduce town-centre violent crime, they are of concern.

"The owner is working with us and it will resolve itself."