POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a mass brawl at a railway station.

The incident took place as passengers boarded a train from King's Cross to Newcastle at York Station at about 10.30pm on Saturday.

Police made 15 arrests for violent disorder after the fight, which involved about ten men from Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and a similar sized group from Leeds.

PC Nick Storey, from British Transport Police, said: "When we arrived, the fighting had stopped, but there was lots of walking wounded with cuts, bruises and ripped clothing.

"Beer bottles had been thrown at the train, which was delayed for 38 minutes.

"Usually, an altercation of this size involves football supporters. But both these groups appeared to have been out drinking in York celebrating birthdays."

A spokesman for GNER, which runs the station, condemned the fight.

He said: "We take incidents like this very seriously. It constituted some pretty irresponsible behaviour from, thankfully, a small minority of people.

"We are working with the transport police and regular police to find out what went on and will be looking at security camera footage."

Witnesses asked to call PC Storey or PC Steve Duck on 0800 405040, quoting incident number 691.