EXTRA police patrols are being drafted in after a mass brawl erupted between current and former pupils at three high schools in Pendle.

Councillors have been told that trouble flared when students from Pendle Vale College, including some Year 11 school leavers, descended on Colne Primet High.

Students from the nearby Fisher More RC High in Colne were also involved, with fights broken up by police.

No arrests are thought to have been made.

Coun Tony Greaves said he believed that a gang of young people from Nelson had arrived in Colne to start the trouble at Primet High one afternoon, prompting retaliation from the Colne youngsters.

“There was a bit of bother on the streets outside the school.

"Has this all been sorted out and can you confirm that these miscreants from Nelson have been warned off?” said Coun Greaves.

Insp Jon Fryer said he believed pupils from Pendle Vale, Primet High and Fisher More schools were all involved in the incident, alongside former students from the Nelson area.

He added: “We have had meetings with the headteachers of all three schools and we have had extra neighbourhood police on patrol in the area.

“It was mainly involving Year 11 pupils, including some who had just left school, and I am extremely pleased to say it has been quiet since then.

“We mainly dealt with minor assaults in nature, involving young people aged 15 to 17.

"We welcome the support of the schools and am pleased that the heads are working closely with us.

“We will continue to monitor the situation but we believe that it has now been resolved.”