A cricket club descended into chaos after a mob of youths descended on a children's practice session armed with "knives, hammers, a garden spade and a stump". Around 50 children, aged 9 to 13, were waiting to start playing when the gang congragated at the ground of Maghull Cricket Club on Tommy Gent Way in Sefton near Liverpool.

The kids fled the scene in "tears" as the mob "engaged in organised fighting" on May 3. One mum who witnessed the incident wrote on Facebook: "I was there this evening with my eight and 10 year old. It was truly terrifying. I would like to just say a massive thank you to the adults, especially the men/fathers, involved with the club who quickly stepped in ushering the children to safety and stepping in bravely to defend them if needed. You didn't hesitate to take action and it didn't go unnoticed."

The Liverpool Echo reported that the group of youths were spotted on bikes at the scene, while an image taken during the incident shows one hooded youth armed with a hammer confronting another wielding a cricket stump.

A statement posted to Maghull Cricket Club's Facebook page said: "Sadly, we must report to the people of Maghull another in a long list of disgraceful incidents that have blighted our club for several years.

"Tonight, during a junior section practice evening, a number of youths have congregated on our pitch and engaged in organised fighting, delaying the start of the session. A short while later, more youths appeared, fighting and threatening each other with hammers, knives, a garden spade and a stump stolen from our practice area.

"The 50 or so youngsters practicing, aged between nine and 13, had to be escorted off the pitch by our coaches for their safety, some in tears."

Local councillor Phil Hart branded the incident "heartbreaking" and said he would be taking the matter "very seriously". Replying to the Facebook post, he said: "This is absolutely heartbreaking to read.

"I’m so sorry that your young players, coaches, and volunteers - and the wider community - had to witness and endure something so frightening. Our pitches and parks should be safe spaces for young people to enjoy sport, not scenes of violence and fear.

"As your local councillor, I want you to know I’m taking this very seriously. I’ll be raising this with Sefton Council and Merseyside Police, and doing everything I can to push for a proper and urgent response."