They are among the most academically gifted in the country and are destined for glittering futures.

However, the police and paramedics were forced to intervene following the “stupidity or misguidedness” of more than 2,000 Cambridge University students who caused carnage during a riotous party in a public park where they stripped off, vomited and drank themselves unconscious.

Twice as many revellers took part in the May bank holiday party than last year, defying police warnings to reign themselves in and curb their behaviour.

In 2010, officers vowed that anti-social behaviour would not be tolerated and told the infamous drinking societies which organise all-day binges that they risked breaking the law.

But the number attending the now notorious Caesarian Sunday reached new levels this weekend, causing predicable havoc and a volley of complaints.

Families said they were disgusted to see rowdy students downing so much alcohol that they urinated in park flower beds and cavorted with their trousers around their ankles.

However, the university dismissed the antics as “just a bit of fun” and said it had no power to prevent such events from taking place.

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said they were obliged to step in and deal with the fall out from such irresponsible behaviour.

The party marks the start of the summer term and historically takes place on Jesus Green.

Participants began arriving at around 11.30am, many wearing university blazers and pushing trolley loads of alcohol. They then spent the afternoon getting recklessly drunk whilst taking part in bizarre initiation ceremonies.

Girls were seen drinking port through condoms, while others were held upside down as alcohol was poured into their mouths and some acted out sexual positions.

At 3pm, hundreds shouted and cheered as more than 20 male students with "war paint" on their faces engaged in a vicious fight during which blood was shed.

The annual fight is held between the drinking societies of Jesus College and Girton, known respectively as the Caesarians and the Green Giants.

(Read by Lee Hannon. Lee Hannon is a journalist at the China Daily Website.)

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(Agencies)