POLICE have appealed for calm following increased tension in Colne after a teenager died from stab wounds.

Sean Whyte, 17, of North Street, Colne, was found collapsed close to his home after police received reports of a disturbance last Monday night.

Two Asian men have been charged in connection with the incident, one with murder.

Sean, who was hoping to get an IT apprenticeship in Colne, had moved to the town from Dundee seven months ago and lived with his mother, Mary, and three brothers and sisters.

In a bid to reassure the public in the light of last week's events, police stepped-up patrols in the North Street area over the weekend.

Nelson Inspector Paul Robinson said six extra officers were on the beat after police were made aware of unfounded rumours of violence. He said: "There has been no fighting whatsoever in relation to last week's incident this weekend, despite what some people have been saying.

"There was an incident between two men on Friday night in night in North Street but that was totally unconnected. They have both been arrested and charged.

One man, Paul Pickering, 41, of Talbot Street, Colne, is to appear before Burnley magistrates this morning charged with two counts of racially aggravated public disorder.

Insp Robinson added: "There have been a number of rumours going round town, including one about a bus load of people coming to Colne to firebomb the place and a group coming to Colne for a big demonstration, which are not true.

"People are just adding to myths and trying to cause trouble and hoping to bring about the bigger problem, which is in many cases is fuelled by drinking.

"This does not help the two families concerned and only ends up causing more problems.

"We have had police officers in and around North Street and Birtwistle Avenue all weekend to reassure the public and prevent any trouble."

Hasan Mumtaz, 18, of North Street, has been charged with the murder of Sean Whyte and violent disorder.

His brother Wasim Mumtaz, 20, of the same address, is also charged with violent disorder and is facing a further allegation of wounding Mr Whyte's aunt Annie Rennie, with intent to do her grievous bodily harm.

Both men have been remanded in custody to Preston Court, where they will appear for a preliminary hearing on October 8.