FIVE men have been charged after an Italian World Cup party in Darwen ended in violence following an alleged dispute between neighbours.

Police were drafted in from Accrington, Burnley and Preston to Church Terrace at around 7.20pm on Saturday. At one point police said they had to form a defensive shield around one man to protect him from a crowd of more than 30 people.

One man suffered facial injuries, a couple of others sustained minor injuries and two houses in Church Terrace had windows smashed.

Police said the trouble began close to a property where local Italian residents were gathered after watching the controversial Italy against Croatia World Cup match.

Italy lost the match 2-1 and had two goals disallowed by English referee Graham Poll.

A group of youngsters were playing football outside the house in the run up to the incident and Inspector Stuart Bruce said: "There was a violent disorder at Darwen which started over an argument over football."

Police said words were exchanged between a neighbour and adults at the house and the situation escalated.

Inspector Bruce said Italians in the town had regularly had family orientated parties in the past and usually went out of their way to create a party atmosphere.

He said: "This was an unfortunate series of events that when taken together have made for a most unpleasant scene for the residents of Darwen."

l John Cannon, 19, Mario Mazzafiore, 53, Franco Carnovale, 31, and Giorgio Legano, 52, all from Darwen, were charged with violent disorder and released on conditional police bail to appear before Blackburn magistrates today.

Gary Hasson, 35, also from Darwen, was charged with violent disorder and assault. He was remanded in custody to appear in court today.