Footage shows the men using the chairs as weapons after the violence erupted in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, yesterday.

Horrified sunseekers enjoying the 28C weather could be seen fleeing as the group also chucked bottles at each other at the beach cafe.

The men were left bleeding as they brawled while still in their swimming shorts with no shoes or tops on.

The cafe was left covered in broken glass and strewn chairs following the carnage.

One of the groups was seen fleeing the scene as their blooded rivals yelled after them.

It is not clear why the fight happened but the seafront was packed with families who flocked to the beach for the scorching heatwave.

The Your Southend group posted the video on Facebook yesterday, saying: “We were sent this shocking video of a fight between two groups of men on Southend seafront, which reportedly happened today.

“A number of deckchairs, tables and glass bottles were thrown during the altercation.

“The seafront was packed with thousands of people when the incident happened, including families with children.

“The fight, involving around 10 men, reportedly took place in the area around the Pebbles One cafe on the beach.

“Police are continuing to increase their patrols along the seafront as the hot weather brings more visitors into the town. Officers carried out a number of successful stop checks on people and vehicles over the weekend, as well as aiming to deter anti social behaviour with their visible presence.

“It is not yet known if any arrests were made.”

The thugs have been slammed by locals, who say they were “acting like children”.

One said: “What a load of tossers. a complete embarrassment. The sun comes out/there’s beer and they lose their minds.”

Another wrote: “And that’s why I will not take my children there when it’s hot as there are so many idiots around. Hope they all get arrested.”

While one said: “That is disgusting, innocent people and especially children could have been hurt in this.”

Essex Police also hit out at the thugs for attempting to “spoil it for everyone else” with their behaviour.

Chief Inspector Ian Hughes, District Commander for Southend, said: “We are aware of a video circulating online showing a group of people fighting in Marine Parade, Southend, yesterday afternoon.

“The people shown in the video behaved recklessly, with no care for the injuries they could have caused to friends and families around them.

“We’re progressing inquiries and working to identify those pictured and will continue our high visibility patrols of the area.

“For anyone who thinks they can come to Essex, to our towns and beaches, and commit crime, violence or anti-social behaviour, you can’t and if you do, you can expect a visit from us as we simply will not tolerate it.”

It comes after Ron Woodley, deputy leader, called on the army to come and help tackle violence on the seafront.

The popular destination has been plagued by thugs brawling, smashing bottles and leaving mountains of litter behind.

There are now fears the carnage could get worse now England has started their Euro 2020 campaign.

Mr Woodley said: “I have a meeting with police but if we have not got enough police I would want to bring in the armed forces.

“If people can’t behave themselves we will have to do something that is outside the box.

“If we don’t have enough police officers in Essex then we need to call in the army, but it would have to be central government doing it.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission