TWO police officers had to use their batons repeatedly after Graham Morris launched a frenzied attack on them.

Blackburn magistrates heard that despite being struck on the thighs and arms Morris, a schizophrenic, continued to lash out at the officers, punching one of them on the nose and the back of the head.

The attack ended only when Morris, who had taken hold of one officer around the waste, was felled by a blow to the shoulder.

But even then he continued to struggle with the officers as they handcuffed him.

Morris, 24, of Douglas Place, Blackburn, was put on probation for 12 months after pleading guilty to using threatening behaviour and assaulting PC Andrew Maltman.

He was ordered to pay £75 compensation to the officer and £50 costs.

The court heard that PC Maltman and another officer were called to Douglas Place at 7.35pm on Christmas Eve.

As they approached Morris stood in a doorway and took up an aggressive stance with his fists clenched and his chin on his chest.

John Greenwood, defending, confirmed that his client had been diagnosed schizophrenic and had been treated with tranquilliser-type medication in the past.