FOUR "loutish," youths ended a birthday day out in Blackpool by getting involved in a brawl on the town's railway station.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Lee Davis, 22, Ryan Holmes, 19, Graham Moore, 23, and Lee Pinder, 21, had been celebrating Holmes' eighteenth birthday in June last year but got drunk and ended up getting arrested after the fracas in front of other passengers and families.

They all escaped custody but a judge who slammed their behaviour said it had been a "finely balanced decision."

Judge Lesley Newton said the defendants' conduct had been disgraceful. She said Holmes had got into a confrontation with another man who was then knocked to the floor and punched and kicked.

Pinder, of Bold Street, Holmes, of Owen Street and Davis, of Avenue Parade, all Accrington, each admitted affray. Ex-convict Moore, of Dowry Street, Accrington, who was on prison licence, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Pinder and Holmes were each given 150 hours community punishment, Davis got 120 hours and Moore received 100 hours.

All defendants must pay £150 costs.

Ciaron Rankin, for Moore, said the defendant was no longer drinking in the same way or mixing in the same group. He was now working as a trainee.

Defending Pinder, John O'Shea said his client had had about 10 pints of beer.