ACCIDENT and emergency department staff called for security when a drunken woman refused to leave Royal Blackburn Hospital after being medically assessed and discharged.

Blackburn magistrates heard Megan Bury screamed racist abuse at the two security guards who were trying to persuade her to leave.

Bury, 26, of Linden Crescent, Darwen, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards Iblal Younis and Sajeel Rehmen.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 15 days rehabilitation activity requirement. She was fined £50 with £90 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £50 compensation to each of the security officers.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Mr Younis and Mr Rehmen spent some time trying to calm Bury but she continued to shout racist abuse in their faces, causing upset to other patients.

Ben Leech, defending, said it was clear his client had a number of mental health problems but it was equally clear she should not have behaved in the way she did.

"Its not right that A & E departments throughout the country need security but unfortunately that is the situation," said Mr Leech.

"She accepts she didn't handle the situation very well but there is no doubt her mental illness impacted on the way she conducted herself."