Up to 40 inmates were involved in a two-hour disturbance at Stoke Heath Young Offenders Institution.

Officers at the unit have been praised for their “swift and courageous response” to the incident yesterday, which left one member of staff and one young inmate injured.

About £10,000 damage was also caused at the centre and a police investigation has been launched into the disturbance.

Those involved have been placed in the segregation unit and could be moved to other units.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: “At 3pm yesterday a disturbance involving up to 40 young adult prisoners took place at Stoke Heath during afternoon association.

“Due to staff’s swift and courageous response the incident was quickly resolved. One member of staff and one prisoner were injured but neither required hospital treatment.

“None of the accommodation has been damaged except an association room.

“The prison is currently assessing the cost but the damage is estimated to be in the region of £10,000. The association room that was damaged is being treated as a crime scene but will be back in use subsequent to police procedures.

“This is now the subject of a police investigation.”

Police, firefighters and paramedics were called to Stoke Heath to help staff bring the situation under control if needed.

West Mercia Police spokeswoman Maria Hawkaluk said: “Police were alerted at about 3.20pm yesterday to an incident in one of the wings at Stoke Heath YOI. Detectives are now working with the institution to establish whether any offences have taken place.”

Mark Smith, leading firefighter at Market Drayton, said about 15 firefighters were called shortly after 3pm. He added: “There had been a small fire but prison staff dealt with that.”

This is the latest in a long line of problems at Stoke Heath, which has been seen outbreaks of disorder and rooftop protests.

By Andrew Rogers