A MAN arrested after being seen with a machete on a Blackburn street on Monday had earlier brandished the weapon in a nearby pub.

Blackburn magistrates heard when he was challenged by a member of the public on Tresco Close, Thomas Howard threatened to chop his arm off with the weapon.

Howard, 45, of Kings Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a machete in a public place. He was sent in custody to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced on July 5.

Leigh Morgan, prosecuting, said police were initially called after Howard had entered the Lord Raglan pub. He had asked if a certain person was in who he said had caused damage to his property.

"The landlord told him not to bring trouble into his pub and the defendant responded by producing a machete and saying nobody did that to him," said Ms Morgan.

"The landlord was concerned that someone should be walking around in broad daylight carrying a machete."

Shortly after Howard was seen on Tresco Close where he was eventually arrested.

A resident shouted at him to "hop it" and Howard responded by saying he would chop his arm off.

"He was shocked by what he saw and said normally the cul-de-sac was a little paradise where the children could pay safely," said Ms Morgan.

"This happened on a sunny, bank holiday money and there were a lot of people, including children, out enjoying themselves."

Ms Morgan said Howard had numerous previous convictions for affray, wounding, assault and possession of a bladed instrument.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said the background to the offence was a dispute between his client's step son and another group of men.

"He doesn't know the ins and outs of it but he became involved after an attack on his step-son during which he was stabbed and his friends were also attacked," said Mr Taylor.

"Because his step-son was connected to his address, although he doesn't live there, one or more of these men came to his house and smashed all the windows."

Mr Taylor said his client had also been threatened and chased.

"He has contacted the police and reported everything to them but nothing has been done and the threats continued," said Mr Taylor.

"On this day his partner went to confront the individual concerned and he followed because he was concerned for her safety. Foolishly he took a machete with him."