ROVERS star and derby match hero Nathan Blake has been cleared of swearing at police in a late night kebab shop.

The Welsh striker, who scored Rovers third goal in the 3-1 defeat of his former club Bolton Wanderers at Ewood Park on Tuesday, walked free after telling a court how he was trying to protect a friend from racist abuse.

The £3.75million player, 27, was arrested in Newport the night before flying out to a crucial Euro 2000 match between Wales and Switzerland earlier this year.

Blake was accused of swearing at two police officers as they arrested his friend Junior Chambers. The pair were out at 1am after seeing a concert by soul singer Alexandra O' Neal.

The pair went for a take away kebab when two women accused Chambers of queue jumping and threw racial taunts at him.

Hairdresser Chambers swore back at the women and was warned about his language by passing police officers. Chambers refused to calm down and police arrested him.

Sgt Mike Smith said Blake then tried to stop Chambers being arrested. He said: "As we escorted Chambers to the police van I heard Blake say "You lot are a ******* joke."

"I was extremely insulted by his comments and his language. I arrested him."

Richard Edwards, prosecuting, said: "The police had no choice but to arrest the pair. Both had been warned about their language and behaviour before they were arrested." Blake told the court: "Junior told me about the racist abuse and I understood why he was angry.

"I would rather someone spit in my face than call me black this or nigger that. I know how he felt.

"But the police came in the place and headed straight for Junior. The police were hell bent on getting us arrested. They let it all happen.

"The situation was a joke and I said so. I never called the Police a joke."

But Chambers told magistrates at Newport how he only lost his temper after being the victim of racial abuse.

Blake, of Chepstow Road, Newport, denied two charges - causing harassment by insulting words and obstructing a policeman.

Chambers, of Commercial Road, Newport, denied causing harassment.

Both men were cleared of all charges and their costs were paid by the prosecution.

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