MAYORESS HURT IN CHARITY BASH FIGHT

She suffered a black eye and cuts to the face after being head-butted at the fund raising event at the Yelton Hotel.

The mayoress, who was an innocent bystander when a fight broke out, was reluctant to talk about the incident, which took place at a money-raising event for the Observer's Monitor for Megan appeal.

"It's just something that happened and I want to forget about it," said Mrs Scott, who attended the night with her husband Phil in a private capacity.

"I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was something or nothing."

The Observer understands the mayoress was struck in the face after a row broke out between two other women at the sea front venue.

Police were alerted by a member of the public after the fight spilled onto the street. They arrived at 10.40pm, but were too late to catch the brawlers. It is understood the mayoress had to spend several hours in hospital.

Bands Soul X-Press, The Sect and DJ Dayzee had all been performing at the popular venue on August 24, to raise money for a special bike for two-year-old Megan Hagland.

Len Benton, from band Soul X-Press, said: "It's a shame. A fight did break out, but it's what happens when people have been drinking all day."