COUNCIL chiefs in a North-East town have announced that no more boxing events would be staged at its main leisure centre following riots at an event last week.

About 40 rival fans caused mayhem at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, last Friday, throwing chairs, tables and glasses at each other.

The rioting caused £5,000 worth of damage to the centre and led to a pensioner having his ear slashed and an 18-year-old suffering a head injury.

Trouble flared during the bout between Francis Jones, of Darlington, and Danny Moir, of Gateshead, both of whom pleaded for the fighting to stop.

The British Boxing Board of Control immediately launch-ed an inquiry and will consider the results on Sunday.

But the violent scenes have put an end to boxing at the Dolphin Centre, which had become a popular venue for top-class boxing in recent years.

A spokesman for Darlington Borough Council, which runs the centre, said the chaos erupted despite increased levels of security.

"Security was above the required level, but when you get large-scale public disorder, it is difficult to legislate for," he said.

"We're just not prepared to hold events where there could be this level of violence."

An international Thai boxing event, scheduled for April 25, will now be held at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.