Piercing screams rang around a primary school playing field as two pupils were scalded when a hot water urn toppled over during a sports day.

Stunned onlookers told how a gust of wind caught a gazebo, knocking over the urn and covering the youngsters in the piping hot liquid.

Quick-thinking bystanders jumped into action and hosed the pair down at St Mary of Charity Primary School in Faversham, a move head teacher Hannah Tudor says saved them from being severely injured.

“A paediatric first aider was on site and we immediately acted to treat the burns,” she said.

“An ambulance was called as a precaution and one child was taken to hospital for checking.

“We have been told that their injuries may have been more severe had we not acted so swiftly.

“We are really sad that this accident occurred, but relieved that both children are OK and hugely grateful to our staff, parents and volunteers for their quick thinking.”

The children - believed to be aged five and 11 - returned to school the following day.

Miss Tudor says a full risk assessment had been carried out before the event.

“We would not have put up the gazebo if it had been a very windy day,” she said, adding that a freak gust had caused the accident.