SCHOOLCHILDREN became embroiled in a fight at a busy supermarket which left two people injured.

Police say they were called to Safeway in Front Street, Acomb, following reports that pupils from Lowfield School and Oaklands School were involved in a disturbance both inside and outside the store.

A middle-aged man and a teenage boy were both injured, with the man treated by paramedics at the scene. Two 14-year-old boys were arrested and later released pending further inquiries.

Police said local people claimed pupils from both schools were involved, although Lowfield head John Thompson said he was not aware of any of his pupils being involved.

Local people said the incident was the latest problem involving pupils from both schools, who they claimed regularly walked out at lunchtime and gathered in the area.

One woman said there had been another fight some months ago, adding: "It seems to be getting worse. And the language is appalling."

But Michelle Burns, headteacher of Oaklands School, said staff tried "desperately hard" to encourage pupils to stay on site and parents had to sign a letter saying their children would be supervised if they went home for lunch.

"Unfortunately some parents choose to sign that and then do not check that the young people go home.

"We do regularly have a staff presence at Safeway and around the town, and the majority of our pupils are where they are supposed to be during lunchtimes."

She said yesterday's brawl had not started because of school rivalry, and was instead centred on a falling out between two youths, neither of whom was in mainstream education.

She and Mr Thompson are to examine Safeway's CCTV footage to identify any of their pupils that may have been involved.

A Safeway spokeswoman said: "A Safeway employee was alerted to a violent situation occurring between a gentleman and a group of youngsters and attempted to calm the situation. Police and ambulance were called immediately. Safeway is working closely with the police to resolve this matter."

One shopper said he could not believe what was happening.

He said: "A woman was trying to drag this boy off, there was another kid hanging around the door swearing and shouting at the staff.

"There were loads of lads, about 15 of them, all wearing school uniform.

"The door was open, they were just inside the door moving towards the photo booth, and there were female staff, male staff and customers grappling with them.

"There was a customer who looked like he had a great big bruise on the side of his face."

PC Colin Sutherland appealed for witnesses who saw the incident or had any information to contact him on 01904 631321.

Updated: 11:01 Friday, September 05, 2003