WEAPONS including knives, swords and baseball bats were discovered in two pubs during a police raid.

Officers swooped on the White Lion and The Top Club in Little Hulton after reports of fighting in a number of pubs at around midday on Saturday.

The pubs, both on Manchester Road West, have been temporarily closed while police continue their investigations.

Little Hulton councillor Eric Burgoyne said: "The first I knew about it was when I went to the bank at about 5pm and there were about six police cars outside the White Lion.

"I'm not aware of any problems at these pubs in the past. A while ago there was some trouble at the Horseshoe, which is now closed, where there were a couple of gangs causing trouble but I don't know what it was about."

In September last year, four men were stabbed during a brawl in The Horseshoe Bar, also on Manchester Road West.

A police spokesman said: "Extra patrols will be working in the Little Hulton area in order to reassure local residents and prevent further disturbances."