POLICE were rushed off their feet on Friday responding to numerous large-scale drunken brawls.

The day, affectionately known as "Builders' Friday" due to the fact that many firms down their tools for a two-week Christmas break, sees workers heading for the pubs.

Unfortunately, this year the festive fun turned sour, with trouble breaking out in Skipton, Settle and Bentham.

The callouts began at around 7.30pm in Skipton, when a brawl involving around 10 people developed. Seven police officers were called to the fight at the bottom of Rectory Lane. A 30-year-old Silsden man had to be taken by ambulance to Airedale General Hospital with cuts to his lip and eye. A 22-year-old man from Keighley was subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.

Meanwhile, at 11.30pm, a large-scale fight broke out at the Royal Oak in Settle. Several people were assaulted with three people sustaining minor injuries. However, no allegations of assault were made.

A police spokeswoman said the fight was thought to be between locals and some people from Skipton who were visiting the town.

After midnight, police officers were called out to a brawl involving around 15 people outside The Byres pub in High Bentham. One man sustained injuries to his head and had to be checked out by an ambulance crew, but no complaints of assault were made to the police.

At around 2.40am on Saturday morning, a disturbance broke out outside Eastwood's fish and chip shop on Keighley Road, Skipton. An 18-year-old Sutton man was allegedly punched in the face by an unknown male. The man who allegedly threw the punch is described as a white, 5ft 8ins tall with short black hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt and black jeans.

Other reports included a 40-year-old woman being assaulted in the Rose and Crown pub.

Police are also investigating a fight in the Red Lion pub on Saturday night. No arrests were made but police are continuing their inquiries.