A POLICE officer struggling on the floor to control a man who had attacked him was grabbed from behind by a second man.

Blackburn magistrates heard that during the struggle the officer used his pava spray on both of his assailants.

But his problems only came to an end when a member of the public and a pub bouncer came to his assistance.

Mark Rooth, 24, of Woodside Crescent, Newchurch, and Robert Jones, 53, of Wheatholm Street, Rawtenstall, pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Iain Carroll and being drunk and disorderly in Bacup Road, Rawtenstall.

They were remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said PC Carroll had been asked by doormen at the Bees Knees assist with two men who were causing problems.

The officer spoke to Rooth and told him he wasn't allowed in and asked him to leave.

There was a confrontation and Rooth removed his jacket and took up a fighting stance. Rooth swung at the officer and they ended up on the floor.

"As he was trying to restrain Rooth the other man grabbed hold of him and tried to drag him off," said Mrs Yates.

"He again deployed his pava spray and was then assisted by a member of the public and one of the doormen."

Daniel Frazer, defending Rooth, said it had been referred to as a group action but his client had been unaware that anyone else had been involved.