BURNLEY police's Hate Crime Unit has vowed to continue the clampdown on racially-motivated attacks after nine teenagers were convicted for their part in a brawl.

The Burnley youngsters, who are all under 18 and cannot be named for legal reasons, had become involved in a racially-motivated fight outside an off-licence in the Coal Clough area, a court heard.

Following a trial, two of the teenagers were given six months in a detention centre while seven youths who admitted their involvement were given community punishments.

Det Sgt Dave Groombridge, from the Hate Crime Unit, today welcomed the sentences, saying: "I'm very pleased with the result of the court case.

"It demonstrated the court is taking matters, especially those aggravated by race, seriously and that we, the police, will vigorously investigate every crime aggravated or motivated by race and take the matters to court."

Burnley Youth Court was told the trouble was sparked when three of the teenagers went into the shop and began causing trouble, resulting in the Asian owner asking them to leave. The shop owner's teenage son and two friends were called for help.

A witness claimed he saw between 40 to 50 white youths outside the shop.

The youths, who were allegedly carrying batons and a baseball bat, began attacking a small group of Asian youths, who were themselves armed with broom handles and bottles, said the witness. The shop owner's van windscreen was smashed during the incident.

A total of 11 Burnley teenagers, 10 boys and one girl, were charged with offences ranging from assault to causing actual bodily harm to using threatening and insulting behaviour which was racially aggravated.

Two were acquitted after denying accusations of being involved. A number of Asians were also arrested but no charges were brought.