Two men involved in trouble in the early hours in Watford are to go on "aggression replacement training" courses.

Amad Khan, 26, and Ghulam Shah, 25, were involved in a fight after going out for a birthday celebration.

It followed a confrontation at Kandi Klub, in The Parade, earlier in the evening, said George Heimler, prosecuting.

The victims, Joe and Ricky Coppings and Billy Clifford, were injured after being punched and hit with pieces of wood.

Joe Copping had a cut to the right eye, Richard Copping had a cut to the back of the head and Clifford a swollen right wrist.

Police were called and Khan and Shah were arrested nearby. A third attacker Steven Anderson was arrested at a taxi rank.

Khan, of Rose Garden, Watford, Anderson, of Greenbank Road, Watford, and Shah, of Francis Road, Watford, pleaded guilty to carrying out the affray on June 7.

Sentence against Anderson was adjourned until October 31. In his case the prosecution accepted his plea that he did not use wood.

Geoffrey Birch, for Khan, said he did not use any wood or weapon. "He had been out for a birthday celebration."

Alisdair Smith, for Shah, said that he has not touched alcohol since January and has not been in trouble since the assault.

Judge Martin Griffith passed a 12 month jail sentence suspended for two years on both men. They are to carry out 250 hours unpaid work and attend 18 "aggression replacement training sessions" run by Hertfordshire probation officers.

Both men must abide by a curfew between 10pm and 6am for four months and are banned from going into licensed premises for four months.

Shah was also ordered to pay £300 compensation to each victim.