BOXING legend Frank Bruno made one of his final public appearances before being taken to a mental health unit at an East Lancashire nightclub.

And clubbers who watched Bruno perform a guest DJ set at the Opium night spot, in Accrington last Friday, said they were already fearing for his mental state.

One eye witness who met Bruno on Friday said he felt sorry for the genial giant after seeing him rocking back and forth and switching from one topic of conversation to another.

He is also believed to have told staff at the club that he was due to check into a health club on Saturday.

Since hanging up his gloves, Bruno, who won the public's hearts after winning the the World heavyweight title in 1995 after several failed attempts, has become a DJ and pantomime favourite.

He spent more than half an hour on the decks at the club, in Willow Street, Accrington, but his behaviour off stage worried one club source.

He said: "It's a shame because the guy's a legend but he couldn't hold a conversation

"We met up with him after his appearance and took him back to the hotel.

"He sat in the front of the car rocking backwards and forwards.

"I was talking to him about different things like when he met Muhammad Ali and he changed the subject and said Frankie Detori was good.

"He kept saying 'Yes boss, I do apologise for being late, OK boss.'

"I felt really sorry for him because he just wasn't there."

Promotions manager for Opium Nightclub Brendan Connolly said: "We were saddened to hear the news today about Frank.

"All the management and staff would like to send their sympathy and we hope that he gets better soon."

Police officers assisted in removing the father of three from his home near Brentwood, Essex, under the terms of mental health laws, a source said last night.

He was transferred into the care of a local mental health NHS trust.

Eyewitnesses said Bruno was driven away from his home shortly before 7pm.

He was reported to have been taken to Goodmayes Hospital, Ilford, although there was no confirmation from the hospital.

Bruno, 41, grew up with five brothers and sisters in a terrace house in south London where his parents had settled on their arrival from the Caribbean.

He married wife Laura at a small church in Hornchurch, Essex in 1990.

But the marriage was reported to be in trouble in 1997 and Mrs Bruno was granted a decree nisi in September 2001.

The couple have three children.

It had been widely reported that Bruno is battling depression and he is said to have previously received treatment at the Priory Clinic in Chelmsford, Essex.

One national newspaper reported that he had been sleeping alone in a tent in the garden of his £2 million mansion.