TWO members of an exclusive drinking club who deny attacking a man in an Ulverston pub will today return to court as their trial continues.

Gavin John Clelland, 53 and Paul Alexander Helm, 49, both members of an Ulverston social group labelled 'cocktails at five' went on trial at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court in Barrow last month charged with assault by beating.

The trial was adjourned after two days until today to allow further defence witnesses to give evidence.

Speaking in court during the first two days of the trial, Helm, of Greenodd, said he and his friends donned dinner jackets and got dressed up for their belated Christmas night out on February 4.

The group had a meal in Ulverston's Hot Mango cafe before heading to the Hope and Anchor pub for a tipple.

He denied calling Barrovians "scumbags" and said the scuffle only happened because the complainant, Gavin Smith, lunged at him on his way out.

The senior manager and volunteer for the coastguard's search and rescue team in Barrow said: "Mr Smith grabbed a hold of me from behind and basically jumped on my back, I just went flying forward.

"I held him to stop a further attack and when I was holding his head he tried to grab hold of my testicles.

"At no point at all did I punch him, I think i used the minimum amount of force."

Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said: "Isn't it the case you made comments specifically about Barrow, not Grange, not Arnside or Ulverston.

"You didn't think you were being pompous, arrogant and pretentious, yet you went to a cafe in a dinner jacket.

"I think that's how you came across to the other group."

Helm replied: "I work in Barrow, I'm from Barrow, and I used to live there- I've no reason to say those things, I didn't use the word scumbag.

"I think Mr Smith was taking his chance to have a go.

"I think he took the opportunity to give me a quick thump as he came past."

Clelland, of The Drive, Ulverston, also categorically denied any wrongdoing.

The naval engineer and father-of-three had also been out with the group and said he was not aware of 'a situation getting aggressive' and thought Helm was enjoying some 'verbal banter' with Mr Smith and his friends.

He said: "There was a scuffle behind me and I felt some pressure on my back.

"I saw Paul with another guy having a bit of a wrestle.

"I grabbed Paul and tried to pull them apart but they were latched on to each other.

"I was just trying to stop anyone from getting hurt."