FOUR hundred wrestling fans were left disappointed when they all turned up for a show -- but the fight ring didn't!

And police today revealed that officers took weapons from fans turning up at Blackburn's King George's Hall -- ranging from an ironing board to a kitchen sink!

Promoter John Farrer, of Global Wrestling Force promotions, booked the venue and the wrestlers, who all arrived for the Aftermath show on Sunday, but was left red-faced when the ring failed to show up.

The wrestlers -- including Jake the Snake and stars from the Global Wrestling Force (GWF) -- tried to make the best of the situation by staging an impromptu fight with Mr Farrer, who was unavailable to comment.

But Steve Rigby, Blackburn with Darwen Council's director for culture, leisure and sport said: "King George's Hall took the booking on the Sunday night on the understanding that the promoter would provide both 'wrestlers and a ring' for the event. Clearly, the hall's management are very disappointed the promoter had to cancel the event, and that it was at the last minute because of technical reasons.

"All those who bought tickets from the King George's Hall Box Office, will be entitled to a full refund."

Chief Inspector Steve Gregson said: "In the American extreme wrestling shows the fans bring in weapons for fighters to use on each other. These range from kitchen sinks to balsawood chairs.

"The promoter's website encouraged fans to bring their weapons of choice for this purpose. We got the promoter to change this because it might be misconstrued by those not familiar with wrestling.

"We made a number of searches and took a number of offensive weapons including an ironing board and a fluorescent tube."

The 400 fans, who had travelled from as far afield as Scotland and Gloucester and paid as much as £25 for tickets, were left waiting two hours after the billed 7pm start.

They have been advised to get refunds from the place they bought their tickets -- this could leave organisers with a bill of around £6,000 to pay.