A martial arts weapon is believed to have been used in a brawl between two groups of youths.

Police say around 12 young people from Stamford Bridge and York were caught up in the violence in The Square, Stamford Bridge.

PC Mark Khan, of Pocklington Police, said a rice flail - two pieces of wood connected by a chain- was produced during the fighting.

He told the Evening Press: "What appears to have happened is that youths from Stamford Bridge have had a verbal disagreement with some lads from York, and that has turned into a fight or brawl in The Square.

"The lads from Stamford Bridge have been hanging around and these lads from York have been walking from one pub to another.

"We believe the York lads have reacted to a comment from the Stamford Bridge lads and the fight started.

"We don't think that they've ever met each other before the incident.

"It has ended up in the doorway of the Swordsman Inn, where a window has been broken.

"Local men broke up the fighting, and then one of the youths got out a rice-flail.

"We believe it was one of the York lads."

He said he did not believe anyone had been seriously injured by the weapon during the fight, which broke out between 10pm and 10.30pm on Friday.

Two youths were detained at the scene and a third was arrested following police inquiries.

Two were from Stamford Bridge and one from York. All three were arrested for violent disorder and have been bailed to return to Pocklington Police Station in mid-November.

Although some witnesses have already come forward, the police are appealing for any other witnesses, or anyone who was struck by the rice-flail, to contact them.

They are also interested in finding the rice-flail, which went missing soon after the incident.

Anyone with information should contact PC Mark McCallum or PC Mark Khan on 01759 302174.