TWO gangs armed with weapons smashed and rammed cars and battled each other in the middle of a busy road.

Bolton Crown Court heard how shocked onlookers watched in horror as violence erupted in Laburnum Road, Farnworth, on the afternoon of May 15 last year.

Rachel Faux, prosecuting, told a jury how two men were seen with bloody faces and weapons including a machete, hammer, metal bars and baseball bats were wielded.

Wesley Burbidge, Stuart Brough, Nathan Holmes and Craig Hollinrake all deny violent disorder.

Additionally Brough, aged 42, of George Street, Farnworth, denies possessing a machete and Burbidge, aged 41, of Tig Fold Road, Farnworth, denies possessing a hammer.

Hollinrake, aged 45, of Pole Street, Bolton and Holmes, aged 27, of Highfield Road, Farnworth, each deny possessing baseball bats.

The jury was told that a fifth man, Holmes’ brother Donovan Holmes, has already admitted violent disorder.

Miss Faux told how Donovan Holmes was driving a red Mini, with his brother in the passenger seat while a white Audi was being driven by Brough, who had Burbidge and Hollinrake as passengers.

Witnesses saw the men in the Audi in Laburnum Road, Farnworth, just before 5pm, apparently “pumped up on adrenaline” and approached by the occupants of the Mini, who smashed the rear and side windows of the Audi.

The Audi headed off towards the roundabout at Highfield Road, going round it the wrong way before heading back up Laburnum Road and smashing into the back of the Mini.

The occupants of the Audi, wearing blue latex gloves, got out and began fighting with the Mini driver and passenger in the road.

Witness David Holmes, who is not related to the defendants, told the court how he saw the fight ensue. "It made heads turn and made people panic," he said.

"I was in disbelief that this was in broad daylight, happening round about school leaving time.

"I was quite frightened because I have not experienced, at first hand, weapons being used."

The court heard that, afterwards, the Mini occupants pushed the damaged vehicle to the side of the road and the Audi was found abandoned in Gorton Street, Farnworth.

Miss Faux said that the defendants, when questioned by police, admitted they had been in Laburnum Road.

"They each accepted being present at the scene of this violent disorder but each commented they were not the aggressor but were acting to defend themselves," she said.

She added that parts of the incident had been captured on mobile phone and dash cam footage.

"It is clear the men were there. They each got out of their respective vehicles and engaged in violence and threats of violence with each other."

The trial continues.