DOZENS of pupils confronted each other in front of horrified town centre shoppers and workers yesterday.

At least two boys in their mid-teens started brawling in Stanley, County Durham, until the fight was broken up by passers by.

The gangs, including about 40 pupils from Stanley School of Technology and Tanfield School, in nearby Tanfield Lea Road, were involved in a stand-off in Front Street, at about 12.30pm.

It is believed the clash was pre-arranged and followed an incident on Friday.

Yvonne Richardson, who works in Stevens' newsagents in Front Street, said: "They were eyeing each other up. You could tell something was going to happen. They were not shouting at each other, but it was quite intimidating."

Jade High, who works at the town centre Peter's Bakery shop, saw what happened when the fight broke out.

She said: "One lad came back with blood all over his face. It looked like he had a cut to his head."

Staff at The Factory Shop alerted CCTV operators who filmed the fracas and contacted the police.

Inspector Ian Proud, of Stanley police, said an investigation was under way and violence would not be tolerated. Officers have visited the schools to speak to staff and those involved in the fighting could face arrest.

Insp Proud said: "We will clamp down very firmly on this sort of thing because we do not want gangs of marauding kids terrifying people as they go about their business.

"This sort of thing can easily escalate and people can get seriously hurt."

A spokesman for Durham County Council, the local education authority, said it would not be appropriate for either school to comment because of the police investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845 60 60 365.