Two teenage thugs, who terrorised a group of 15 Norwegian schoolchildren on Scarborough's seafront, were told by magistrates that they brought shame on the town.

A 16-year-old was given a custodial and training sentence for eight months after pleading guilty to a total of six charges of causing an affray and beating, and another of threatening violence, while a 17-year-old was given 120 hours community service for causing an affray and threatening violence, after he also pleaded guilty at Scarborough Youth Court.

The court heard how the youths had been on Scarborough seafront late at night earlier this month, and confronted a group of between 30 and 40 students from Norway, who were on an educational visit to the resort.

The group, consisting mainly of 15-year-olds, had been enjoying a night in the amusement arcades before returning home when some of its members were set upon by the youths.

During the troubles, seven of the Norwegians were assaulted, said prosecutor Jenni Kilvington.

"They had verbal abuse hurled at them and were being goaded into fights."

One of the six English youths in the six-strong gang had told the Norwegians "Come on hit me - I want a fight".

When one of the foreigners had refused to hand over money to the gang, he was struck on the back of the head.

The 16-year-old later told police that the Norwegians had started the fights, but added that he had been drinking.

He claimed: "They were talking to each other in their own language and it didn't sound nice".

Peter Maynard, for the 17-year-old, denied a claim in a social inquiry report that the attack had been racist.

"It was not so far as he was concerned. He didn't know they were foreigners, and he is not a racist."

Chairman of the bench Tony Green told the youths: "You have brought shame on yourselves, your families and this town.

The trouble was the latest in a series of attacks on foreign students over the past three years at Scarborough. As a result, operators of the educational tours say the Norwegians are threatening to quit Scarborough as a destination, which could cost the town up to £4.5 million a year in lost business. One group has already quit after news of the attacks reached the Norwegian press.