POLICE were called after reports of 50 people fighting - some with sticks - in the street after the opening of a mosque.

Tension had been growing in South Shields, South Tyneside, during Ramadan and now police chiefs are appealing for calm.

The brawl started at 4.30pm on Wednesday when members of the Asian Community gathered in Baring Street.

Police cordoned areas off before the fighting had a chance to escalate further.

The gangs dispersed, leaving dozens of sticks. Four people were arrested and are being questioned by police.

It is still unclear what started the trouble, but it is thought to involve factions attending the old Baring Street mosque and the new one further up the street.

Chief Superintendent Neil MacKay, from South Tyneside area command, said: "It is important that members of these communities talk to resolve their issues, rather than resorting to violence.

"Whatever the problems are, using violence to sort them out will only lead to more trouble. That is not the way we want to go."