INMATES rioted at Hindley Young Offenders Institution, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Scores of other prisoners had to be evacuated to other jails as a result of the disturbance which lasted more than five hours.

Detectives from Greater Manchester Police are now investigating the incident.

Shortly after 7.30pm on Wednesday, 26 juveniles, aged between 15 and 18, in Wing One refused to return to their rooms.

They turned on all the taps and flooded the area, while bombarding prison staff with snooker balls and cues.

Officers became concerned for their safety and withdrew from the wing.

Negotiators were sent to the scene but when they failed to persuade the teenage offenders to back down, specially trained prison officers were sent in at around 1.30am.

Within half an hour, they had gained control of the wing and all the offenders were returned to their rooms.

No staff were injured but several inmates suffered superficial cuts and bruises.

As a result of damage to the electrical system caused by the flooding, 74 prisoners were temporarily relocated to other prisons in the North-west area.

A spokesman for the prison service said: "The wing is now being treated as a crime scene and the matter has been handed to Greater Manchester Police for investigation.

"The cost of the damage is currently being assessed."

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We were informed about an incident at Hindley prison but it was dealt with by prison service officers.

"Detectives from Greater Manchester Police are now investigating the criminal damage caused and the inquiry is still ongoing."

Hindley Young Offenders Institute originally opened in 1961 as a Borstal. In 1983 it was re-classified as a Youth Custody Centre and then became an adult prison.

In 1997, it was re-classified again as a joint prison and Young Offenders Institution.

Three young adult wings are home to 244 prisoners and there are two juvenile wings providing 192 places.