A ROW between youngsters from two Medway schools erupted into a mass brawl in the street.

Commuters and passers-by looked on in amazement as the fight between more than 20 youths escalated near Chatham railway station.

The fracas flared after a dispute broke out between four pupils from two different schools. Two pupils from St John Fisher Secondary School in Ordnance Street, Chatham, became involved in a fist fight with two other pupils from another school in Chatham.

The four initially fought among themselves, but then pushing and shoving from other pupils erupted into a full-blown street brawl.

A witness who didn't want to be named said: "It was like a Wild West show.

"It was a mass disturbance of loads of kids running amok. At first it was just a couple of them fighting, but the others who were watching were egging each other on and before I knew it, they were all fighting.

"It lasted for about half an hour and some teachers from the school tried to break it up.

"I think one of them got punched by mistake while he was trying to stop the fighting. His glasses were knocked off his face. I didn't hang about to see what happened but someone told me the police were called."

A spokesman for Medway's education authority said: "We do not expect this kind of behaviour from our students and are extremely disappointed with the two students who were involved. The head teacher of St John Fisher, who brought the matter to our attention, will be investigating further.

"The education authority will be speaking to the head teacher of the other school involved. We would like to thank the teacher who took immediate action to stop the incident."

Medway Police confirmed officers were called to the scene at about 4pm last Thursday. The spokesman added: "About 25 people, aged about 16, gathered around a group of four youths fighting. Officers arrived at the scene and moved them on."