A VIOLENT attack outside Oscars nightclub in Warminster left one man with serious facial injuries.

The fight, which involved a gang of 20 men from London and soldiers from the Green Jackets regiment, based in Warminster, broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning.

One man was taken to hospital and four others were assaulted.

Using a metal pole, the gang also smashed up a car.

It took police 30 minutes to break up the brawl and one man was arrested.

A spokesman for the Green Jackets said no action was being taken against the soldiers.

Police are investigating the fight and another attack which happened over the previous weekend, when a 23-year-old man was glassed in the face.

Sergeant Alison Allin, of Warminster police, said: "We're aware of the incidents and are conducting enquiries. There are often problems at places which are dealing with young people. This is a sad reflection of today's society."

These latest violent attacks have sparked fears about the way the club is run.

Warminster town councillor, John Syme, said unless security measures are improved there could be another murder at a west Wiltshire nightclub.

Glyne Agarde was murdered outside Reflections Nitespot, in Westbury, in June 2000.

Cllr Syme said: "Oscars concerns a lot of people. We are always hearing about people who are being assaulted or seriously injured. It could spiral out of control and someone could easily be killed.

"The business needs to be more responsible. Obviously people are drinking to excess and staff have to notice this."

Clubbers have been found with drugs such as cannabis and ecstasy and Cllr Syme is worried that Oscars has become an easy target for suppliers. He said: "It concerns me when I read reports about drugs at the club. When their licence is up for renewal I think this all has to be investigated before it is granted again."

Oscars manager, Keith Widdows, said problems at the club were no worse than at any licensed premises but he is planning to improve security measures, including more patrols of the car park.

He said: "We have adequate security and my staff do a good job. People are searched on entrance and they have to walk through a metal detector.

"Drugs are a part of the society we live in today. It is a social disease. If anyone is caught with illegal substances then we take the appropriate action. We always help police with their enquiries."

West Wiltshire District Council said there was no question of revoking the club's licence before it comes up for renewal next May. A spokesman said: "We monitor the situation at licensed premises across the district.

"There is always going to be an element of trouble at clubs but we haven't heard about anything which affects their licence."