POLICE in Swindon were diverted from the town to tackle a mass street brawl 30-miles away.

Around 100 young people were involved in the fight in Malmesbury on Saturday night.

Police in Swindon are normally needed to maintain order in the town centre at weekends.

But officers were drafted in to join police from six other towns as the incident threatened to spiral out of control.

Ten police cars from Swindon, Corsham, Calne, Chippenham, Melksham and Tetbury attended, and officers took half-an-hour to clear the streets.

Dogs had to be used to subdue the crowd. Malmesbury's own officers two on-duty PCs were breaking up a fight elsewhere in the town at the time.

The brawl was witnessed by mayor Patrick Goldstone, who later called for a crackdown on underage boozers. He said the incident in the picturesque town the country's oldest borough had been "scary".

Nine people three of whom were under 17 were arrested for public order offences. Three were later found to be carrying knives.

From today, pubs and clubs can apply for 24-hour licences. Critics fear longer opening hours will lead to more drink-fuelled violence.