A 20-year-old man has been banned from a Darwen pub for two years after throwing a stone through the window.

Blackburn magistrates heard that trouble flared outside The George, in Blackburn Road, after a friend of Lee Rennox was allegedly beaten up.

A stone thrown by one of the group caused £330-worth of damage to a window of the pub.

Rennox, of Billinge Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

He was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay £330 compensation and £60 costs.

The magistrates also imposed a two year exclusion order which prohibits him from entering The George. Richard Prew, defending, said Rennox had been out with friends and they were outside waiting for a taxi at the end of the night. The pub was still open and two of his friends went in.

"People inside took exception to the way they were behaving and there was an incident that spilled onto the street," said Mr Prew. "He accepts that as he walked away he picked up a stone and threw it at the pub."

Mr Prew said two of the friends had been cautioned and the third, a juvenile, had been given a final warning.

"Unfortunately, it is left to my client to pay all the compensation," said Mr Prew.