Restaurant staff were left "bruised and shaken" after glasses were thrown at them as "gangs of rampaging men" ran riot.

Bosses at GB Pizza in Marine Drive, Margate, have told of their "disgust" at the ordeal suffered by female workers at the hands of crowds of drunken revellers.

They say staff members were "physically and verbally" assaulted as they tried to take outside tables into the restaurant following a shift on Friday.

One was left with bruises on her head after being struck by a glass thrown at her.

Posting on twitter, GB Pizza said: "Disgusted by the behaviour of some people in Margate last night.

"My female team were physically and verbally attacked (glasses thrown at them; grabbed) by drunken men - who, despite being clearly inebriated, were still being served by bars in the town.

"My team were trying to take our outside tables inside at the end of a long, hot, busy shift.

'One of our team is so shaken, she can’t work today. Another has bruises and a lump on her head from a thrown glass...'

"To have to endure this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable."

The police were called following the violence and are understood to have attended the scene.

Bosses at GB Pizza added yesterday: "This should not happen. Period.

"My brilliant, hardworking team are really shook up. Some are even bruised from where they were assaulted.

"Appalled. And really disappointed that a glorious day in our town was ruined by gangs of rampaging men who can’t handle their booze. On several occasions.

"One of our team is so shaken, she can’t work today. Another has bruises and a lump on her head from a thrown glass."

The incident came towards the end of the hottest day of the year, with police called to a number of disturbances on Margate seafront.

In the morning officers responded to reports of gangs of youths abusing passers-by as they drank and inhaled laughing gas from balloons.

Later in the day three men were arrested - a 62-year-old on suspicion of assaulting a police officer, a 46-year-old suspected of being drunk and disorderly, and a 38-year-old accused of indecent exposure.

To prevent further disorder and anti-social behaviour, a 48-hour dispersal order was imposed on Margate Main Sands and the surrounding area from 4pm on Friday.

The order gives police additional powers to move on anyone causing a nuisance and, if necessary, to arrest those who return to the area once dispersed.

A police spokesman added: "Extra officers will be carrying out patrols in the area over the weekend.”

Kent Police has been asked for more details about the violence at GB Pizza.