AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a brawl broke out at the accident and emergency ward at a hospital.

Police were called to Burnley General Hospital at 10.30pm on Tuesday to reports of a fight, which is believed to be linked with an earlier disturbance in Oak Street, Burnley.

One man was arrested on suspicion of assault after the incident, which involved two men, He was subsequently released on police bail.

The victim of the assault sustained a cut to his head.

Earlier in the evening police arrested five men after a fight broke out in Oak Street, Burnley, leaving one man with facial and head injuries, which are not thought to be serious. None of the men have been charged.

Police believe the violence started at an address in Burnley and the injured man was followed to hospital where further violence broke out.

Detective Inspector Ian Procter said: "We were investigating an assault in Burnley and then the police were called out to another disturbance at Burnley General Hospital.

"Five people were arrested in the incident in Oak Street, which we have been investigating throughout the day.

"Our inquiries indicate that as a result of the first fight the injured party went to Burnley General Hospital where there was another fight.

"Whilst we believe the later incident at the hospital was linked to the incident in Oak Street our inquiries and ongoing."

East Lancashire Hospitals Trust said attacks in hospitals had decreased after it had implemented conflict management training for all staff.

According to hospital statistics recorded incidents of violence against staff dropped from 75 in 2005/06 to 61 this year.

A spokesperson for the Trust said: "Over the last three years there has been an decrease in violent incidents at the hospital and this is down to the security measures we have in place and staff training.

"The Trust is actively involved in helping to reduce such incidents and this has had an impact.

"All members of staff have conflict management training which involves learning how to handle aggressive people who come into the hospital without exacerbating the situation.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 01282 425001.