SIXTEEN people were arrested and two police officers injured in clashes before Burnley's 6-0 defeat at home to Manchester City.

But the widespread disruption forecast after "sinister'' information was released on the Internet didn't materialise after town centre pubs closed their doors for the day.

Of the 16 arrested four were visiting fans and 12 were from the Burnley area.

They have been charged with offences of public disorder and assault. All have been granted police bail and will appear before magistrates in Burnley on Thursday and Friday.

Two police officers received relatively minor injuries in pre-match clashes near to the Keirby roundabout.

Sgt Dave Croll said: "Because of the high profile of the fixture we had put resources in to cope with any eventuality and arrangements went well. "The majority of arrests were before the game and at half time in the concourse of the north stand.''

Police warned public houses to be extra vigilant ahead of the clash with Manchester City after receiving information on the Internet's Manchester City Chat pages that some visiting fans may be planning to cause trouble in the town.

Inspector John Clucas of the Football Intelligence Unit said there were several web pages - some were legitimate while others contained much more sinister information.

Football intelligence officer at Burnley, PC Stuart Rutlidge said: "There was a potential for trouble and so we let licensees be aware of the situation.

"We left it to them but with a recommendation that they take extra precautions. Most of them in the town centre either remained closed all day or closed in mid afternoon.''

PC Rutlidge added: "The public houses have been very co-operative and have used commonsense."

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