A mass brawl involving 20 teenagers had to be broken up by riot police.

Two police officers were injured as horrified residents looked on as the violence erupted on Friday night.

Witnesses condemned the fighting in Mill Road, Maldon as "vicious and obnoxious" and were so alarmed they called the police.

One Mill Road resident, who asked not to be named, said: "It was a massive fight and it was really quite vicious.

"I called the police and I know others in the street did too."