POLICE in Darwen have renewed an appeal for witnesses to an alleged dispute between neighbours after an Italian World Cup party.

Officers were drafted in from Accrington, Burnley and Preston to Church Terrace around 7.30pm on Saturday. Police said they formed a shield around a man to protect him from a crowd of around 30 people.

One man had facial injuries and several others received cuts and bruises. Trouble began close to a property where local Italian residents had watched their country's defeat against Croatia.

A group of youngsters were playing football in the street when the alleged argument arose .

Det Sgt Ian Critchley, of Darwen CID, said: "We are still looking for witnesses."

Four men were charged with violent disorder and another with the additional charge of assault.