THE Mayor of Hyndburn today said he had done nothing wrong after it was revealed he was caught up in a disturbance which resulted in police being called to a christening party.

Hyndburn Council chief executive Mike Chambers today confirmed that the authority was looking into the incident, in which police were called to Oswaldtwistle Conservative Club, in Rhyddings Street.

Coun Douglas Hayes, who is Mayor and an Oswaldtwistle councillor, denied he was involved and the club steward said the he had behaved like a gentleman.

A police spokesman confirmed that officers were called to an incident at the club at 9.30pm on Sunday.

He said: "We were called out to a fight, as it was described to us, at a christening party at Oswaldtwistle Conservative Club.

"When we arrived we spoke to the parties involved and, at present, no complaint has been received."

The incident was not believed to involve any physical violence. Coun Hayes' wife, Coun Sandra Hayes, who was also present, said: "There was an incident which we asked the steward to sort out and he did. It was nothing really -- a storm in a teacup." Mr Chambers said: "We will look at it and take a view on it. It has been reported to us, although no formal complaint has been made. The Mayor has already contacted the council about the incident."

A council spokesman added: "Normally, the monitoring officer would deal with this but that officer is off at present. Councillors follow a strict set of rules laid out in our code of conduct and the national policy, although they don't really cover what people do in their own time."

Coun Hayes said: "I was in the room at the time but I wasn't involved. It is very flattering to know people are praising me but I have done absolutely nothing."

Andy Nuttall, steward at the club, said: "There was a heated exchange of words and someone called the police. The Mayor was with me throughout and he behaved like a gentleman.

"I didn't even realise the police had spoken to anyone."

Former Mayor Coun Ian Ormerod said: "I do have sympathy with the Mayor because we aren't trained for such high-profile roles.

"I shall be talking to senior officers and councillors to see what action the council should take, possibly in the form of an investigation.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "I cannot comment on the incident."

Picturte: Mayor Douglas Hayes with his wife Sandra and Oswaldtwistle Conservative Club where an incident at a christening party resulted in the police being called