Four people have been jailed for a combined total of 14 years after admitting involvement in the Oldham riots.

The three men and a boy had thrown missiles - including petrol bombs - at police during the disturbances which hit the town in May 2001.

Damage costing hundreds of thousands of pounds was caused and dozens of police were injured in the race riots.

The four admitted rioting in July and were sentenced on Monday at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court.

Majid Hussain: Threw petrol bombs at police

Majid Hussain, 19, of Belgrave Road, Hathershaw, Oldham, was jailed for six years after also admitting possession of an explosive substance with intent to endanger life.

Video evidence had shown him throwing petrol bombs at police.

Mohammed Farooq, of Clifton Close, Oldham, was jailed for three years, 22-year-old Irfan Khalil, of Park Road, Oldham, to three-and-a-half years and a 17-year-old youth to nine months in detention followed by nine months on licence.

The Ritchie report into the riots said the disturbances erupted out of racial tension between Oldham's Asian and white communities.

But Detective Chief Inspector Martin Bottomley, of Greater Manchester Police, said the sentences showed that violence was not the answer to the town's problems.

He added: "The Oldham riots highlighted an underlying division between communities in the town, but that is no excuse for the type of behaviour demonstrated by these four.

"All are guilty of throwing missiles with the intention of causing harm, but Hussain in particular threatened lives when he threw petrol bombs at officers attempting to calm the disorder.

Town rebuilding

"I hope today's sentences will cause others who believe violence is the answer to consider their actions.

"The town of Oldham is now rebuilding and moving on, these men will not be part of that as they face the next few years of their lives behind bars."

Eight people have now been sentenced for their part in the disturbances.

Five men are awaiting sentence and 35 men and two women are awaiting trial.