A man suffered a head injury after an alleged assault involving a metal ball in an incident that sparked an armed police response.

Police including armed officers were called to Gerrards Green, Beaminster on Friday night.

Police confirmed they were alerted following a 'disturbance' and that a man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including making threats to kill.

Eyewitnesses say they saw armed police break a door down and enter a property before making an arrest.

Another person said they understood people were arguing loudly in the street and they thought someone had a weapon of some sort. They said police dogs were present and that police officers went from door to door afterwards talking to residents.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Dorset Police received a report at around 11pm on Friday, February, 16 of a man causing a disturbance in Gerrards Green in Beaminster.

"It was reported that he assaulted another man with a metal ball, causing a laceration to the victim’s head.

"Officers attended and a 35-year-old man from Lyme Regis was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, racially or religiously aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, making threats to kill, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and affray."