HUNDREDS of youths were plotting on the Internet to take part in a “revenge” fight outside a Hampshire leisure centre.

Teams of police had to be drafted into the area as word spread quickly on social networking sites about the large scale punch-up.

The alarm was raised by an eagle-eyed member of the public who had come across the plans for the organised fight online with around 300 people saying they were going to attend.

Extra police patrols were sent to Chandler’s Ford while stern warnings were issued through Twitter and Facebook, telling people: “We’re watching, don’t bother.”

Officers say they received an initial call reporting the planned trouble outside Knightwood Leisure Centre, pictured, at around 7pm.

Within an hour they received two further calls reporting that a fight was in progress in the Skyswood Road area – with one person saying bats were being used as weapons.

But on arriving police found a group of youths congregating but said there was no fighting and nobody had sustained injury.

Numerous police patrols from the Eastleigh area could be seen in the vicinity during Thursday evening and in total 18 youths were stopped and searched by officers.

Chief Inspector Andy Houghton, district commander of Eastleigh and Romsey police, said the youths were aged 14 to 18 and were later dispersed and banned from returning to the area.

No weapons or alcohol were seized, however police did find a hockey stick which had been dumped in a nearby front garden.

CCTV is now being examined and an investigation into the reports of violence is continuing, while police say they will continue to patrol the area throughout this weekend.

Chf Insp Houghton said it was too early to say whether the planning of the fight was a direct result of school rivalry but believed from the information on social networking sites that it may be revenge for a fight that occurred |earlier in the week.

Neil Barker, customer engagement manager for Valley Leisure, which runs Knightwood Leisure Centre, said: “Although the disturbance happened nearby, it didn’t directly involve the centre.

“The police are dealing with it and we’ll do anything we can to support them, as we would always do.”

Witnesses are asked to call Eastleigh Safer Neighbourhoods Team on 101.