FILM of ''genuine gang fights'' in Glasgow will be screened by the BBC tonight - less than three weeks after it was accused of staging mock battles to ''sex up'' the documentary on violence in the city.

The footage shows stick-wielding youths, while the publicity blurb declares the scenes as ''the kind of violent gang fights that are making a misery of many residents' lives''.

The battles, involving knives and bottles, are said to have taken place on October 15 on land that splits rival gangs on two east end housing estates, Garthamlock and Ruchazie.

Five days later, a BBC crew was publicly accused by Glasgow City Council of staging fights in Tollcross Park for the hour-long documentary, No Go Britain.

The allegation has been strenuously denied, although the BBC admitted the park filming and interviews were unauthorised and it would pay the (pounds) 500 fee for using council property.

The row continues, with the council noting the documentary on BBC Four at 9pm will not carry Tollcross footage - further fuelling its suspicions over the filmmakers' professionalism and motives.

Jim Coleman, the council's deputy leader, said yesterday: ''We have absolutely no confidence in this organisation. We have been hearing of their contact with other young people across the east of the city, from Parkhead to Tollcross to Easterhouse and Ruchazie.

''Given they have decided not to show their filming in Tollcross Park, we can only guess on how this latest filming may have been achieved.''

However, the makers ridiculed the council's stance and claimed it had ruined an opportunity to offer a more positive image of the city to viewers.

Adrian Addison, a BBC staff reporter who spent a month undercover for the programme, not only accused the council of ''spinning'' to counteract his findings but added: ''It should concentrate on the problems rather than have a go at us.''

Of the gang fights, he added: ''Just watch the film. If you told me 'that was staged' then I am Steven Spielberg.''

Sally-Ann Ritchie, one of three directors of the documentary, said she was horrified that the council did not like the way the media portrayed Glasgow, and added: ''They are cutting off their noses to spite their faces.''

She claimed the documentary, while exposing the devastation caused by thugs, had aimed to present a positive side by featuring two youth projects.

However, Ms Ritchie further claimed both groups withdrew after the publicity surrounding Tollcross.

She declined to name them, but admitted the result was a programme more negative than originally intended.

Images from the gang fights were shown on BBC News at 6pm last night as part of a two-part feature on tough inner city areas, including London's Tower Hamlets.

Mr Addison, who also went undercover in London, where he found teenagers wrecking shops and attacking people in the street, said of witnessing fights in Glasgow: ''Most shocking of all was that adults and parents appeared to direct the battle.

''Although there was a lot of showboating, blows were struck and one guy passed with his head smashed and face covered in blood.''

He confirmed the incident was not caught on camera, but of interviews the following day he said: ''They seemed lovely kids. But they were bored, had nothing to do, and have got this bullshit tribalism.''

Joe Ward, a cameraman, told The Herald of up to 25 youths on each side fighting for about half an hour after gathering at around 10.30pm.

He said some were armed with bottles, golf clubs and, it seemed, knives because ''a lot of metal glinted''. He heard one youth shout: ''There is a **** out there with a chopper.''

Mr Ward added: ''The level of violence was serious, and some were more than happy to use the weapons . . . some had bloody faces, others limped heavily, clutching arms and legs which seemed to be badly damaged.''

Both men denied any fighting was staged, while Ms Ritchie said it was ludicrous to suggest fabrication at Tollcross.

She said the footage was not used because the Ruchazie interviews were more powerful.

The council has called for a BBC inquiry into claims that park rangers called police to Tollcross after seeing young men wielding weapons, and an off-duty colleague's allegations that the film crew issued instructions to re-enact a gang fight.