EVERY cell in York and North Yorkshire was filled during the night as police struggled to cope with a "Black Friday" of drunken thuggery which spilled over into the early hours.

Christmas celebrations turned into chaos in York and across North Yorkshire as officers arrested dozens of people for disorder and drink-fuelled violence.

Senior police officers' fears of hooliganism and violence proved well-founded, when more than 30 people were arrested in York, and 18 in Selby.

They had predicted that thousands of revellers embarking on the Christmas booze rush would mark what is traditionally known as "Black Friday" for emergency services.

Outbreaks of violence and disorder included:

An attack by two men outside a Selby takeaway at 3am today which left a third man with serious head injuries

A fight involving six drunken men in a busy hotel in Micklegate, York, at 2am, resulting in one man being arrested

A private party which turned into violence in the car park of Riccall Regen Centre with one man accused of driving his vehicle at people and a total of 12 arrests

A brawl which broke out as revellers were leaving Toffs nightclub in Toft Green, York, at 2am, resulting in the arrest of four men.

Sergeant Rebecca Dyer said detectives wanted to trace an injured man after officers found a large pool of blood outside Pizza Roma in Flaxley Road, Selby.

They were concerned that he might have suffered serious head injuries. Two men have been arrested in connection with the attack and officers also want to speak to any witnesses.

The Riccall Regen Centre incident occurred as 50 people milled around outside after a party. At least one person was injured, and the incident is thought to have involved a man driving a van at revellers.

Chief Inspector Andy Bell said officers would continue to crack down hard on all kinds of drink-related crime and disorder over the festive period.

He said: "Christmas is a special time of year, and while we don't want to appear as party poopers, there is a need to enjoy themselves safely and that the only visible spirit is Christmas spirit."

Noel Shouksmith, chairman of directors at Riccall Regen centre, said today he was saddened and appalled by last night's incident.

He said: "This antisocial behaviour is all down to the binge-drinking culture."

Anyone with information about any of the incidents should phone the police on 0845 6060247.

Updated: 11:50 Saturday, December 18, 2004