DRINKERS at a Blackburn pub were left shocked after a bloodied man “ran in” claiming he had been slashed with a machete.

Staff and customers at Old Mother Redcap in Blackburn Road, Intack, were locked inside for about 15 minutes while the injured man, 20, waited for an ambulance.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Police said they spoke to the injured man, who retracted his claim about a weapon being involved.

Officers were called to the Crown Carveries venue at around 6.40pm on Tuesday after reports of an assault in the car park by two men wearing balaclavas.

One drinker said: “A man ran in bleeding from the head and said he was hit by a machete. He sat down for a drink. About ten minutes later, around six police cars turned up. We were kept inside but after that everything was back to normal.”

A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said the man, who was punched in the face and received a laceration to his chin, ran into the pub to get away from the attackers.

She said: “It is possible that there were up to four men who carried out the assault, two with their faces covered.

“No further action will be taken as the victim refused to co-operate with police and would not give a statement. He was taken to hospital for a check-up.”

A spokesman for Mitchells & Butlers, which operates the Crown Carveries brand, said: “The team at the pub became aware of the assault when a guest, who had earlier dined in the business, came back with injuries.

“On calling police, our team were advised to lock the pub doors for a few minutes until officers arrived. The pub traded as normal for the rest of the evening.”