RSPCA inspectors who broke up a brutal cock fight in the centre of Lancaster say the barbaric event they disturbed is just the tip of the iceberg.

And they insist that only with the help of the public can they break up gangs which organise animal cruelty.

The raid on an unused warehouse on St George's Quay came after a tip off from a member of the public.

The RSPCA claim that badger baiting and dog fighting are also rife -- despite their low public profile.

A group of 25 men who were organising the event fled as police burst in to the disused Howard's Scrapyard on St George's Quay in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Police discovered a total of nine dead cocks, while another later had to be put down because of its injuries from the fight.

However, 13 cocks were rescued and recovered alive, although two were splattered with blood. Also recovered were spurs and kits used for treating the animals.

A crude fighting ring made of straw bails had been set up in the centre of the scrapyard and betting had been taking place.

The crowd included several children, one believed to be as young as six.

RSPCA spokesman Ian Briggs said: "Cock fighting is a big problem. We have problems in dealing with it because it is so difficult to get information as the gangs are so close-knit. We were only able to make this raid because of a tip off from a member of the public.

"We would call on anyone who has any information about a cock fight, dog fight, badger baiting or any other form of animal cruelty to contact their local branch of the RSPCA.

"Some cock fighting is organised by travelling people, but it is also often found in inner city areas."

A total of 14 men, believed to have been travellers, have been released on one month's bail after being arrested by police in relation to the incident .

The RSPCA now hopes to bring prosecutions under the protection of animals act. Cock fighting can carry a sentence of up to six months imprisonment.

A police spokesman said: "We were informed at 12.06am on Sunday that there was an illegal cock fight going on at Howard's Scrapyard on St George's Quay.

"When we arrived, we found approximately 25 men who began fleeing the building.

"14 men were arrested and all have been released on police bail."

The surviving cocks are currently in the care of the RSPCA. Mr Briggs added: "At the moment we do not own the cocks, so we cannot re house them, but that is what we would eventually like to do."