TWO Greenock men have been charged with being armed with knives during an alleged violent and racially aggravated incident in the east end of the town.

Patrick Doherty, 31, and Lewis Piggot, 21, are said to have committed the alleged weapon offences on East Crawford Street in the presence of three Asian men.

Doherty, is accused of acting in a racially aggravated manner which caused or was intended to cause alarm or distress to the three alleged victims.

Prosecutors say he shouted, swore, made threats of violence and threw a glass bottle or similar implement at them whilst on bail regarding another criminal matter.

Doherty, of Roxburgh Way, and Piggot, who has been remanded in custody in relation to the case, are said to have each had an offensive weapon in the form of a knife or similar implement at the time on May 29.

Both men have pleaded not guilty through lawyer Ellen Macdonald at the sheriff court.

The case is due to call again on October 12.