A Wigton social club at the centre of a brawl has been stripped of its licence amid police claims it had become a haunt for feuding "criminals and thugs" .

The move came after three people were injured in a skirmish last month which started in the West Street Social Club before spilling out into the street on Saturday, October 13.

Cumbria Police launched an emergency review of the social club’s liquor licence following the incident, prompting Allerdale Council's licensing committee to impose a 28-day suspension.

Yesterday the panel agreed to revoke the licence. The venue has 21 days to appeal.

Members heard evidence from the police and were invited to consider what actions should be taken to deal with “serious crime and disorder.”

Area superintendent Gary Slater said last month's violence was not a one off.

As part of the evidence submitted to the panel, he said: “I conclude this is not an incident in isolation but rather [there is] a continuing record of disorder and violence associated with this venue.”

The licensing panel had several options available to them including altering the conditions of the premises licence, the exclusion of licensable activity from the scope of the licence; the removal of the designated premises supervisor from the licence; and the revocation of the licence.

Sergeant Mitch Franks, of west Cumbria licensing, said: "Police today submitted evidence to the licensing committee of Allerdale Council to revoke the licence of West Street Social Club West Street, Wigton. This was after an interim suspension following an incident of serious crime and disorder on 13 October 2018.

"The evidence revealed that in April 2017, police first applied for a review of the licence but this was not proceeded with following the then transfer of the licence.

"Since that time, police have had to deal with a large volume of incidents such as disorder and assaults. There was an increasing view that the venue attracted criminals and thugs to the venue to play out their petty feuding whilst under the influence of alcohol.

"This led to the venue being unsafe for law abiding members of the public.

"Despite numerous attempts to work with the owner and licensee of the venue it was clear that the management were either unwilling or unable to prevent the incidents from taking place.

"As such, police had no option but to pursue the revocation of the licence following the latest incident of serious disorder on October 13.

"This is a very serious action to take but Cumbria Police will not hesitate to use all legislation at their disposal to ensure the safety of the communities they represent and prevent violence from being the norm in the night time economy.

"It is hoped that this will send a strong message out to the licensees of west Cumbria to ensure that their venues remain a safe and enjoyable place for the people of west Cumbria and to work with Police to ensure this happens."

Licence holder Jordan Calvert declined to comment.