The trouble that has brought shame to Oldham began with a minor skirmish in or near the Good Taste chip shop on the corner of Salford Street and Roundthorn Road in Glodwick.
Locals tell of a fight between two youths - one white, one Asian.
It was soon over but was followed by attacks by a small group of white youths on people, shops and homes. That in turn led to a violent confrontation in which police in riot gear battled with 500 young Asian men for control of the streets. It ended only when the rain came just before dawn yesterday morning and exhausted police officers retired for a break. Yesterday council workers began clearing up bricks, stones, chunks of concrete and five burned-out cars. The conditions were in place for a major flare-up.