YORK exploded into disorder last night when 11 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 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 at 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.

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.

He said: "I think it's just high spirits and people drinking a bit more than they normally do. We had an exceptionally good night in here."

Selby and Tadcaster had their fair share of disorder as well, including an incident outside the bus station in Tadcaster where 30 youths were "about to exchange violence"'.

Elsewhere one man was arrested on suspicion of assault at the new Gems nightclub in Selby and there was another incident outside the club at 2am. Fighting also broke out at at least two pubs.

In Harrogate, a police spokesman said: "It was an average night really," the spokesman added.

And a spokesperson for Malton police said the town centre had seen a good-natured Friday night.

The spokesman added: "There was one arrest, but apart from that there are no incidents to report. Everyone seemed to spend the night in good spirits."