ABOUT 20 men, some armed with knives, were involved in a vicious street brawl last night in the Walderslade area of Chatham.

The fight broke out at around 7pm in Tunbury Avenue. Police said the incident involved men of Eastern-European appearance. Those with knives lashed out at others, leaving some with slash and stab wounds.

Two men are recovering in hospital this morning after being stabbed in the back and on their hands. A spokesman for Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham said one of them was in a comfortable condition, the other stable.

A heavy police presence could still be seen at the junction of Tunbury Avenue and Robin Hood Lane this morning. Four houses were cordoned off, with police tape preventing people from using the gardens and pathways.

Traffic was diverted away from the scene by officers manning each end of the road.

Police were this morning holding three men in custody and will question them over the weekend.

The fight came as a shock to those living in the normally quiet neighbourhood. Homes in the road are largely detached, well-kept homes, many bungalows, owned by pensioners and professionals such as teachers.

Officers have not given any more details about the incident but neighbours believe the fight may have started when a brick was thrown through a window of one of the homes later cordoned off.