SOCCER hooligans turned Preston town centre into a bloody battlefield in a series of pre-arranged riots.

Party-goers fled as dozens of fights broke out in crowded pubs last Saturday night following England's victory over Scotland.

The fights - between sets of thugs from four local football teams - culminated in a 100-strong brawl on Preston's railway station at 10.30pm.

The violence, was described by police officers as the worst the town has experienced in several years.

Police told the Citizen that dozens of fans from four local clubs - Preston North End, Manchester United, Burnley and Wigan - had set up the clashes, to coincide with their return home from England's Euro 2000 qualifying game against Scotland. Many of their trains terminated at Preston.

PC Philip Bilsborough, from the town's football intelligence unit, said: "In total there were 27 incidents reported in the town's pubs, which culminated in the main incident on Preston Railway Station.

"We are sure it was pre-arranged."

Several pubs were damaged during the fighting.

One of the worst affected pubs was the Jazz Bar, in Church Street.

PC Bilsborough added: "We know the four football clubs involved. British Transport Police are continuing to study video evidence so more arrests are likely."

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