SIX pupils have been charged with affray and eight more have received a final warning after a police investigation into a high school brawl.

The 14-year-old, three 15-year-olds and two 16-year-olds were arrested in connection with the disturbances at Moorhead High School, Queen's Road West, Accrington, which also resulted in 19 pupils being suspended.

The six boys were all due to appear at Hyndburn youth court today..

Three of them are charged are white, while the other three are Asian.

However, Acting Detective Inspector Jim Elston, from Accrington CID, said: "We would like to stress that none of these youths have been charged with any racist element relating to this incident."

Riot vans and dog handlers were called in to the school after the brawl on January 14, which left several pupils injured.

The school is understood to be considering the fate of the suspended pupils this week.

Some parents said they were concerned for their children's safety as a result of the disturbances and kept them away from school for a while afterwards.

Police kept a strong presence around the school for a number of days after the incident too, although they stressed this was to reassure parents.

In the wake of the disturbances, some Hyndburn councillors called for an advisory service to be set up, similar to ACAS, which could help schools dealing with such disturbances.

Despite the troubles, acting headteacher Joan Hayselden said last week she was confident that the school was back on track, three weeks on.

She said: "Things are progressing well now. The children are working well.

"They are happy and there is a lovely atmosphere here."

Mrs Hayselden was unavailable for comment today.

Lancashire County Council has announced a series of measures to help Moorhead, including a £5million building programme to put the school on to one site; support and guidance from the county's school advisor and guidance from a special support adviser, and a number of measures aimed at strengthening management and raising standards, including support for under-achieving ethnic minority pupils.

The final warning system, which is being piloted in Eastern division and could eventually become a county wide initiative, has been used in this instance as an alternative to a caution for juveniles.

The new system means the youths will be dealt with under a multi agency approach and members of the youth team will work closely with them to ensure they stay out of trouble.