A large brawl forced the organisers of a summer festival to cancel the event more than four hours early.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed a “large fight” at the Bannister Stadium, Uxbridge Road, Harrow, forced the organisers of the Afghan Summer Festival to close the event just after 3.20pm yesterday.

The manager of the sports centre confirmed a fight broke out between two people and this “escalated”.

Around 2,000 people were believed to be at the event at the time and it is the second year it has been held at the sports centre.

General manager of Bannister Sports Centre Laura Griffiths confirmed the facility is hired by the The Afghan Association of London and said it organised the event.

Ms Griffiths said: “The facility was privately hired by The Afghan Association of London to run their Afghan Community Event which has been held at the facility before.

“A fight began between two attendees towards the end of the event which escalated. The police were called to control the situation and Everyone Active made the decision to stop the event as it was due to finish shortly."

Ms Griffiths also confirmed the sports centre will be reviewing the security arrangements of companies, individuals and groups who hire the space and said they will also inform police of forthcoming events.

Officers arrived at the scene and broke up the crowds while a police helicopter hovered overhead.

Two people were arrested during the initial investigations, but they were later released.

A police spokesperson confirmed: “Police were called at 3.20pm to the Bannister Sports Centre in Uxbridge Road following reports of a large fight.

“The crowd was dispersed and the event was closed by the organisers."