VIOLENCE erupted at a caravan park after a security guard asked a group of holidaymakers to make less noise, a court was told.

Almost 30 people became involved in a late-night confrontation at the Witton Castle site, near Witton-le-Wear, County Durham, last May.

Durham Crown Court heard that the 37-year-old guard, who was staying on site, came under attack from holidaymakers, including children.

Graeme Gaston, prosecuting, said several people armed themselves with table legs, while one teenager was alleged to have wielded an axe.

The guard's wife tried to intervene and people from other caravans on the park urged those involved in the attack to stop.

During the disturbance, a barbecue was knocked over causing a small fire, while a caravan was damaged.

The incident stopped when police arrived. The guard, who had been knocked unconscious, was taken to hospital. He suffered a cut ear and bruising around his body and was detained in hospital for three days.

Mr Gaston said in the confusion it was unclear who played which part in the attack. He told the court: "It was difficult to say who struck which blows, and which blows were landing and which weren't."

Several people were arrested and interviewed about the incident. Yesterday Kelly Connolly, 31, her 14-year-old daughter, Shauna, and 15-year-old Darren Rowe, all from Southwick, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Rowe also admitted damaging property by carving his nickname onto a mattress while being detained at Bishop Auckland Police Station.

Barristers for the trio each asked for sentence to be adjourned to allow the probation service to prepare reports.

Judge Maurice Carr adjourned sentence until April.

He bailed Kelly Connolly to an address in Ridley Street, Southwick, Shauna Connolly to an address in Bright Street, Roker, Sunderland, and Rowe was remanded in custody.