A GARAGE proprietor was one of about 12 men involved in a mass brawl in Clitheroe town centre after the pubs had shut.

Blackburn magistrates heard that police came upon the disturbance in Lowergate and witnessed one man being kicked on the floor and another being headbutted.

Alan James Nester, 33, of Henthorn Road; Mark Anthony Nester, 22, of Mitchell Street; and Simon Ian Bartlett, 26, of George Street, all Clitheroe, all pleaded guilty to affray. They were ordered to do 40 hours community punishment and pay £50 costs.

The court heard that when police arrived the group split into two groups, with the Nester brothers in one and Bartlett in another.

Bartlett was seen to punch a man and then drag him to the floor and kick him about the body. He ran off but was arrested after a brief chase and the officer escorting him back saw Mark Nester run at a man and punch him to the head.

"The two officers present both saw, and heard, the punch because there was a loud crack when it landed," the court was told.

Mark Nester was arrested and then Anthony Nester was seen to headbutt Simon Bartlett's brother Thomas.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending the Nester brothers, said they are not the sort of people who go out looking for trouble. They had been out for a drink with friends, but the drinking had not been excessive.

Mr Church-Taylor said there probably would not have been any trouble but for a comment passed by a man who wasn't before the court.

He said it was Mark Nester who had been kicked on the floor and he had needed hospital treatment.

Mr Church-Taylor said Alan Nester had built up his car repair business until it now employed eight people, including his brother.

"This is not an ongoing dispute, in fact it didn't go beyond those few minutes of madness in Wellgate last October," added Mr Church-Taylor.

Louise Voce, for Bartlett, said his brother had been consoling a friend when comments were passed. Initially there was a verbal exchange which spilled over into blows.

"The parties have since made up their differences and there is no ongoing situation," said Miss Voce.