Racist comments which sparked Bradford's Easter disturbances came from a group of soccer fans, detectives today revealed.

The comments are thought to have come from white members of the group which also contained a number of black and Asian drinkers.

But police said some of the group - either players or supporters - had steered clear of the trouble and urged them to come forward now.

Around 40 to 50 people entered the Coach House pub in Lidget Green where a small group of Asians was already in the public bar.

Detective Superintendent Phil Sedgwick, who is leading the investigation into Sunday's disturbances, said there was some "banter" between the groups which quickly became aggressive and eventually led to violence.

Today he advised people who went into the public bar with the larger group to come forward before police sought them out.

"There are thought to have been some racist comments made by a number of the larger group who then started a fight with the other men," he said.

Det Supt Sedgwick stressed the smaller group was not connected to an Asian engagement party taking place at the time.

"We believe the larger group contained a number of Asians and Afro-Caribbeans as well as possibly some women," he said.

Although it was white members of the group who made the racist comments, others are thought to have become involved as the trouble spread.

The escalating violence then spilled outside the pub building and eventually led to more than 100 youths rampaging in the surrounding streets for six hours.

During that time, one pub was set alight and another badly damaged with dozens of windows smashed. Missiles were hurled at police as several cars were torched, a take-away trashed and a chemist's shop fired and looted.

Det Supt Sedgwick said: "We think there are people in the group which started the fight in the pub who did not come to cause trouble and who did not get involved in trouble.

"I would advise them to contact us before we have to trace them. They could well be getting a knock on their door at 6 o'clock in the morning."

He stressed that detectives had already spoken to some people in the bar at the time and that the others - believed to come from Bradford - would be traced. "It is definitely in their best interests to come forward now," said Det Supt Sedgwick.

Anyone with information about the incidents should contact 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.