THREE men have been fined for their part in a pub brawl in a town centre.

The fight happened at the Tanners Hall pub, in Skinnergate, Darlington, on August 18 last year.

Police were called to the bar after a brawl broke out amongst 15 to 20 men, resulting in stools and chairs being knocked over and glasses smashed.

Darlington Magistrates' Court heard that police were unable to identify many of the drinkers involved in the fight apart from a handful that were filmed by security cameras.

Peter Riley, 30, of Salters Avenue, Kevin Morgan, 27, of Bedford Street, both Darlington, and Paul Kay, 36, of Liverpool, appeared in court charged with causing fear or provocation of violence for their part in the incident.

The court heard that bar staff feared for their safety after the fight broke out between two groups of men.

Glasses and bottles were smashed and tables knocked over during the incident.

Graham Hunsley, defending, said: "They were not actually involved in some of the extreme behaviour that occurred."

Magistrates heard that Riley had been with some of the group but had not taken part in any fighting.

Kay, Riley and Morgan all pleaded guilty and were fined £200 each and ordered to pay £55 costs each.