TWO men have been jailed for an "ugly" incident where two men were attacked in Blackburn town centre.

The pair, both electrical contractors, were walking down the road after midnight when they were punched, Preston Crown Court.

Blood was found on the clothing of two people arrested by police.

Arshad Hussain, 26, of London Road, Blackburn, and Amjad Ali, 20, of Boothfield Road, Wythenshawe, pleaded guilty to affray.

Each was sentenced to 15 months custody.

The offence related to an incident in June 2002 in Blackburn after the victims had gone out with colleagues after work in the town centre.

Janet Ironfield, prosecuting, said it was towards 1.30am when they men walked up Preston New Road.

They came across a group of seven or eight Asian youths, gathered behind a garden wall.

One shouted at them, but the men carried on walking. Then without warning, one of the group struck one of the men to the side of his cheek.

Another person struck the same man and others also started punching him.

Paul Hague, defending Hussain, said the defendant had been drunk that night, a fight had been in progress and he went over.