CLAIMS that Asian people accused of violence during last the Burnley riots were protecting their community have been dismissed as "an excuse".

Preston Crown Court heard that Asians carrying sticks, machetes and even a sword were not defending themselves but were looking for a fight with groups of white racists.

A trial of five Asian people accused of violent offences during the disorder last June had repeatedly been told that the Daneshouse community was under siege by white people and that they went out on the streets to look after their homes and families.

But David Pickup QC, prosecuting, said these claims were not true.

He said the actions of the five accused of violence had gone way beyond what could be considered as self defence. He added: "They did not just wait for a fight but they went out looking for it.

"They were prepared to fight and in no measure could they use the excuse of defending their community. That will not wash. They lost control and went out en masse with weapons."

Earlier the court heard from witnesses including Shahid Malik, son of former Burnley Mayor Rafique Malik and member of Labour's National Executive Committee, that people had gone out on to the streets after rumours spread through the Asian community that a taxi driver had been attacked by racists and that Ghosia mosque was under threat.

He said the elders of the Asian community supported them in what they were doing.

Another witness Asad Rehman, who works for pressure group Amnesty International, said the community had felt like it was under siege from white racists. He also denied that Asians were looking for a fight.

Mohammed Bashir, 22, of Forest Street, Burnley; Mohammed Nawaz, 35, of Lord Street, Brierfield; Asif Khan, 24, of Francis Street, Burnley; Tariq Saddique, 28, of Azalea Court, Blackburn, and a 17-year-old from Burnley, who cannot be named for legal reasons, all deny violent offences.

(Proceeding)