Police have urged parents to make sure their teenagers behave as hundreds of youngsters are expected to celebrate the end of their GCSEs by the sea.

Schools across the district have sent out letters to parents with a warning from police after youngsters were seen fighting with bottles and jumping on cars at Tankerton Slopes last weekend.

Officers believe the youths are planning to return to the seafront tonight.

PSpokesman Jon Green said: "We are urging parents of teenage children to make sure they know the consequences of underage drinking and anti-social behaviour.

"Extra officers are on patrol in Tankerton and Whitstable tonight to deal with any reports of unofficial beach parties or large gatherings of school leavers celebrating the end of their GCSEs.

"It follows a large number of complaints from residents about noise, drinking, aggressive behaviour and general anti-social behaviour last Friday when more than 200 youngsters gathered in the area.

"Although there were no allegations of assaults or criminal damage, some 16-year-olds were found in possession of bottles of spirits, and many were drunk and causing a nuisance.

"Messages have been sent to local secondary schools to ask them to cascade messages to their students advising them of the consequences.

"Officers will confiscate alcohol from anyone under the age of 18, or anyone suspected of being drunk and disorderly or causing a nuisance. They will also use discretionary powers to disperse anyone, if their behaviour is causing, or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, or crime or disorder."

"Some 16-year-olds were found in possession of bottles of spirits, and many were drunk and causing a nuisance..." - police

The letter sent to parents at the Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham said: "We have been asked to pass on the following message from Kent Police regarding a possible gathering this Friday and therefore are doing so, even though we are confident that this would not be our students.

"Sergeant Nick Barton at Herne Bay police station wanted to make the school aware that there was an incident last week in which 200-250 youths gathered on the Tankerton Slopes with alcohol and caused a scene which garnered a police response.

"Kent Police is expecting another gathering there this Friday as students celebrate the end of their exams."

Officers were called to Marine Parade, above the slopes, at around 10.30pm on Friday and seized alcohol from youngsters and provided first aid to three people who required it due to drinking too much.

At the time, one witness said: "There was definitely about 250 people and everyone was completely drunk and there was at least three of four proper fist fights.

"There were lads taking their tops off and it was all bravado. They were all off their heads basically."

"One of the girls in JoJo's came out to move her car because they were scraping her car.

"Staff there were escorting customers out because it was dangerous and scary for them to get out."

No offences were disclosed and no arrests made.

This story was amended at 4.45pm on Friday.