TWO bouncers have been cleared of any wrongdoing following a brawl at a Southend nightclub.

Derek Christie and Gary Hope had been arrested following a punch-up at the former Bakers Bar, in Alexandra Street, which left six men in hospital with cuts and bruises.

The fracas had spilled out into the street where up to 40 people became caught up in the melee at about 4am on December 20, 2008.

The pair stood trial at Southend Crown Court accused of using or threatening unlawful violence, but yesterday judge Alan Saggerson directed the jury to find them both not guilty.

Speaking after the case, Mr Christie said the whole incident had started because a bouncer was elbowed in the face and had to have an operation to remove a cyst from his lip.

He said: “I’ve done this job for a long time, but that doesn’t stop me being frightened. We were outnumbered by about five or six to one on that night. I thought this is it.”

He said after the outbreak of trouble, they had waited for 17 minutes before the police arrived in a single car with no sirens or lights.

Mr Christie said he and Mr Hope have lost their marriages, homes, and their door badges were revoked until the outcome of the trial, so they could not work.

Mr Christie, 40, of Pollards Close, Rochford, said: “We want to have an easy night and the customers to have a fantastic night, and all go home at the end of the night. The last thing you want for the club or the doormen is bad publicity, because it makes us look bad and gives the persona that we are a bunch of animals. But we are there to make sure the idiots out there don’t ruin the night for those who want to have a good time.”

Mr Hope, 40, of Ambleside Drive, Southend, added: “If a club has got a reputation for trouble it closes, and you haven’t got a job.”

Bakers Bar has since been refitted and renamed as Element nightclub. Owner of Element Ben Levy said: “This case has been very stressful for those involved. The door team do a fantastic job and the safety of our customers is their number one priority.”