WILD teenagers from rival schools fought a running battle following a night of drinking on Saturday last week.

The clash, which involved glass bottles, iron bars, CS sprays and other weapons, left four schoolboys aged 15 and 16 needing hospital treatment.

Police believe that between 15 and 30 youths from each of the schools, some as young as 13, were fighting outside Molly Maguires Freehouse in High Road, Harrow Weald.

Police have also linked the case with a 13-year-old boy who lost four of his front teeth after he was headbutted in the face in an assault by six attackers outside the pub.

Many of those involved had been illegally drinking in the pub during the evening, 'consuming a large amount of alcohol' before the fight started shortly after 11.20pm when the premises closed.

"Most had gone out knowing there were going to be problems by being armed with iron bars and CS sprays. They were looking for a fight," said a police spokesman on Monday.

"The attack on the four schoolboys is being treated as a serious GBH because of the use of CS spray.

"In our minds, despite the superficial wounds, the CS spray is a potential GBH offence, and for a 13-year-old boy to lose four teeth is also serious."

Currently, no motive for the fight has been revealed other than the two gangs being from rival schools, which police have refused to name.

Officers will be visiting the schools to talk to pupils about the potential cost of such violence.

They will also be taking action against the owners of the pub for the extent of underage drinking being permitted.

No one was available for comment from Molly Maguires as the Times went to press.

Information to DC Ben Warriss on 8733 4348.

By.Rachel Clarke