AROUND 50 men were involved in a mass brawl after fighting broke out between rival groups in the Audley area of Blackburn.

Police called in community elders to help to calm the situation in Chester Street.

Trouble started around 7.15pm when police received reports of men damaging shops in the street.

Officers were confronted by an angry crowd and one man was arrested for suspected criminal damage but he was later released.

However problems continued throughout the night.

Around 8.25pm police were called out to the Chester Street area for a second time and were confronted by a large scale disturbance.

When they arrived around 50 men from two rival factions were fighting in the street. Police managed to separate the two factions and calmed the situation with the help of community elders.

Police believe the trouble was caused by a long-running family feud.

Officers who work closely with the Asian community have been called in to look at the problem.

They were hoping to speak to both parties in a bid to prevent further trouble.

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