A GANG of yobs turned up at a cricket club armed with machetes and baseball bats following an earlier ‘altercation’ with party guests.

Police said up to 100 guests, including families and children, were at Nelson Cricket Club, in Surrey Road, on Friday night when the incident occurred.

Three Asian men arrived in a car at around 10.45pm and argued with a group of smokers outside the venue before leaving, officers said.

According to detectives, the group then returned at 11.15pm accompanied by up to five more cars and armed with an array of weapons.

The attack left five guests from the 21st birthday celebration in need of hospital treatment for ‘severe bruising, swelling and cuts.’ Police said they are currently seeking the red Honda that the group initially arrived in and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Det Insp Sion Hall said: “It was a really nasty job. People have been left with serious and not life-threatening injuries, although it could easily have been worse.”

The gang, armed with machetes, baseball bats and pool cues, eventually fled the scene when they were outnumbered by guests from inside the venue, DI Hall said.

Police said that as the red Honda was leaving, it hit a woman, in her forties, leaving her with a large bruise on her buttocks.

Three revellers were treated at Royal Blackburn Hospital while two others were treated for minor injuries at Burnley General Hospital, officers said.

All have since been discharged and are currently recovering.

DI Hall said two local Asian men were arrested shortly after the incident and were subsequently released on bail.

Milton Lord, chairman of Nelson Cricket Club, said; “Obviously we are very upset that something like this has happened outside the club.

"We are a very family-orientated club and our members include both white and Asian families. We have good relationships with the entire community.”

Anyone with information should call Nelson CID on 01282 472644 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.