A YOUNG man was attacked with a knife after a birthday party descended into a street brawl.

Dozens of officers, including vans of riot police, were scrambled to the Albion Social Club on Church Street, Connah’s Quay, on Friday night after a 19th birthday party turned sour.

Hundreds of partygoers spilled out onto the car park where the knife attack is believed to have taken place.

Three people were arrested and the victim was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital with injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening.

One partygoer, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Leader: “The party was in full swing but then rumours were flying around that somebody had been stabbed outside.

“The doormen locked the doors and said that nobody was allowed in or out.

“People were anxious and crying and we just had no idea what was going on.

“I heard there had been a bit of a scuffle and that someone got slashed or stabbed.

“I saw the lad involved and his shirt was all ripped and there was blood everywhere.”

Pub landlord Jim Bedden said it was a gathering which simply got out of hand.

He said: “It was supposed to be a function for 90 people but more than 200 people turned up.

“There was an incident with a young lad but the doormen evicted him.

“I got the DJ to announce that if there was any trouble that the bar would be closed straight away.

“People went out into the car park to see what was going on.

“The next thing I had a call from a doorman to say I had better get outside quickly.

“There was lots of police cars and vans. It was chaos.

“I didn’t know what all the fuss was about and then police told me that someone had been cut.”

Mr Bedden stressed that such incidents in his pub were rare and he will be taking steps to ensure it does not happen again.

He said: “I have been here for three years and in that time we have stopped the drug problem and clamped down on underage drinkers.

“There were lots of underage people here with it being a 19th birthday party.

“We confiscated lots of bottles of vodka on the door and nothing was purchased from the bar.

“This will not happen again.”

Connah’s Quay councillor Bernie Attridge was driving home when he spotted the commotion outside the pub.

He said: “There were kids everywhere and I counted 16 police cars that were parked on the road.

“It was like something from a movie scene and I could not believe what was happening before my eyes.”

Cllr Attridge, who is also chairman of Flintshire's licensing committee, added: “I will be seeking an urgent meeting with police and licensing officers to establish what had taken place and ensure this does not happen again.

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: “At 11pm on Friday, police were called to the Albion Social Club on Church Street following a report of two males having assaulted people in the car park of the club and then run away from the location.

“It was reported that one of these assaults involved a knife.

“Police attended the location where no official reports of assaults were made to police and nobody at the scene had serious injuries.

“Further disorder followed at the location and three arrests were made at the scene, two of which were for public order offences.

“Police were in attendance at the location for approximately one hour.

“Police are liaising with the licensee on this matter and would like to reassure the community that incidents of this nature are infrequent in North Wales which is a safe place to live and work.”