YORK exploded into violent disorder last night when 29 people were arrested over 17 separate fights across the city.

The number of arrests was so high that at one stage the cells in York were full. An overspill of prisoners was taken to Selby.

One bar manager, who did not wish to be named, said: "There was generally fighting in the street. A lot of bars - if not every single one in York last night - had some kind of trouble.

"I think everyone was a bit shocked."

A man was knocked unconscious after a fight at the taxi rank in St Saviourgate at 7pm.

An ambulance was called, but when the victim regained consciousness he did not wish to co-operate with the police and no one was arrested.

Three or four people were involved in a fight outside Edwards, George Hudson Street, at 7pm.

Eight men had a punch-up near the Punch Bowl, Stonegate at 7pm.

One man was arrested outside the football ground at 7.50pm.

Police were called to George Hudson Street at 7.15pm after a report of people behaving in a drunk and disorderly manner.

Fighting broke out outside the Slug and Lettuce pub, Back Swinegate, at 8pm, but no one was arrested.

Someone was ejected from O'Neills pub, Lower Ousegate, at 8.30pm but not arrested.

A fight happened outside the Hansom Cab, Market Street, at 7.45pm.

A man dressed as Batman was assaulted when fighting broke out at Old Orleans restaurant, Low Ousegate, and two people were held.

A man was assaulted outside Sainsbury in Foss Bank at 11.30pm

There was a fight outside The Queen pub, Lawrence Street, York, at 11.15pm, but everyone made off before the police arrived.

One person was arrested in Micklegate after a fight at 7.45pm.

Another fight broke out outside York Railway Station at 2.30am.

There was a fight in St George's Place and another outside Blue Circle Taxis, Blossom Street, where two people were arrested.

Two people were also arrested at Ziggy's Nightclub at 12.30am. Neil Warriner, landlord of the Hansom Cab, described the situation as "bedlam".

Bill Embleton, landlord of The Punchbowl in Stonegate, said he was aware there was a fight in the street last night, but customers in his pub were very well behaved.

Extra police patrols are on city centre streets in the afternoons and evenings to crack down on boozed-up revellers causing trouble after spilling out of parties.

Superintendent John Lacy, operations chief for the area covering York and Selby, said: "We will not tolerate alcohol-related disorder."

A York man was today fined £50 for swearing at police officers after being ejected from the Gallery nightclub.

Selby Magistrates heard that Julian Herbert, 30, of Fifth Avenue, used "atrocious" language towards officers on Tower Street.

Harry Bayman, mitigating, said his client felt he should not have been ejected from the club.

Herbert admitted using threatening behaviour and was fined £50 and ordered to pay £30 court costs. He was also bound over for three months in the sum of £100.

In Whitby, police are appealing for witnesses to an incident in The Market Place at 9.45pm last night, which resulted in the death of a man in his 50s.

Thirty-six people have been arrested in a pre-Christmas blitz on shoplifters in York. Operation Christmas Cracker led to the recovery of more than £2,000 worth of stolen goods and the detection of 50 crimes.