A MAN needed hospital treatment after a bar room fight spilled onto the street in Lyme Regis.

The incident happened outside the Volunteer Inn on Broad Street just after 3pm on Sunday as the street was filled with Christmas shoppers.

One man was taken to Dorset County Hospital after sustaining head injuries.

A man was arrested by police on Monday morning and was released on police bail until the end of January.

It is believed that an altercation between two men started following a disagreement in the Volunteer Inn, Broad Street, shortly before 3pm on Sunday, December 8.

One of the men was later assaulted with what police believe to be a “bottle or similar blunt object”, in the street outside.

The injured man was then taken back inside the pub and given first aid treatment as he waited for the ambulance.

Shocked passers-by looked on as emergency services were called to the scene just after 3pm.

PC Richard Winward said: “An altercation happened inside the Volunteer Inn and one man was asked to leave. Roughly 20 minutes later, the victim left the pub and was assaulted.

“The victim was taken back inside the pub until the ambulance got there and was given first aid treatment by the pub's staff and members of the public.

“The alleged offender made off and he was arrested at his home address on Monday morning.

“This kind of behaviour in Lyme Regis is unusual let alone in this pub, but it was a nasty assault which led to a head injury, and this behaviour is simply not acceptable.”

Mark Taylor, the landlord of the Volunteer Inn, said: “This sort of thing really doesn't happen at all in the Volunteer and we deplore all forms of violence.

“We will take the appropriate action to protect the reputation of the Volunteer and will help the police with their ongoing enquiries.”

Lyme Regis section commander Mike Darby said: “On Sunday afternoon a person was assaulted, with what we believe to be a bottle or another blunt object, outside the Volunteer Inn on Broad Street in Lyme Regis.

“A man in his 30s was arrested on the morning of Monday, December 9, in relation to the incident.”

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to contact Dorset Police on 101.