Young children watched in horror when an argument over parking during the school-run erupted into a full-blown street brawl.

According to witnesses, a 60-year-old man was beaten to the ground by a parent and her friend after he objected to the two women blocking Weydown Close, in Southfields, by parking in the middle of the road.

Neighbours stood stunned as the fight exploded in front of youngsters, who were being picked up from Albemarle Primary School, in nearby Princes Way, at 3.20pm last Thursday.

This week, Barry Jones, described by police as the victim of the attack, told the Wandsworth Guardian he was so shaken he locked himself in his flat while one of the women, who were both aged about 30, continued to shout abuse at him from outside.

A spokeswoman for Wandsworth police confirmed the incident, which left Mr Jones with cuts and bruises, was being investigated.

Mr Jones said parking problems caused by parents had been getting worse despite a meeting between the school and its neighbours.

The retired business lecturer said he had no choice but to confront one of the women after she began sounding her car horn repeatedly on Thursday.

He said: “I thought ‘This is not on, I live here’. I said ‘I think you are out of order – you should not really be parking here’. I turned to see if there was a sign and out of the corner of my eye I saw her coming over to me.”

One resident in Weydown Close, who did not want to be identified, said: “It was awful. One of the women involved in the fight had blocked the road with her car and was very abusive when another motorist tried to get through.

“She got out of her car and was shouting, swearing and screaming outside his window. Then when a resident tried to talk to her all hell broke loose.

“It really was disgraceful. When the fight started the kids were coming out of school and they could see this brawl.”

Mr Jones admitted he tried to fend the woman off before the fight broke out because he was scared of what she might do to him.

Soon after they began scrapping, the second woman, who was with a little girl, waded in and punched and kicked Mr Jones along with her friend until neighbours helped the 60-year-old inside. The women fled before police arrived.

A spokesman for the school said: “We will be sending a letter to all our parents reminding them of the need to park legally and show proper consideration for residents.”

If you saw anything call police on 0300 1231212 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.