A ROW in a beach car park erupted into violence in front of families and tourists in the middle of the afternoon.

Bystanders close to the Pier Bandstand on Weymouth seafront saw a man standing in a parking space to keep it when another car pulled into the space.

Bed and Breakfast owners also saw the altercation develop when the man appeared to jump onto the car bonnet to avoid being knocked down and injured.

At this point the two men clashed and one of them – a 46-year-old Weymouth man – is feared to have suffered a broken jaw.

Wayne Nicholas, owner of The Spindrift bed and breakfast, saw the man waiting in the space.

Mr Nicholas said: “He arrived with what may have been his wife or partner and they were looking for a parking space.

“When a car pulled out he stood in the space and his wife or partner was turning the car around.”

Mr Nicholas said another car was then driven into the space and the man had to jump to avoid injury before telling the driver he was saving the space.

He said a punch was seen to be thrown and then another bystander stepped in to prevent further injury when a child’s golf club was grabbed.

Tom Barras, arcade attendant at the Pier Bandstand amusements, said it was a busy day with lots of beach-goers around when the men clashed just after 2pm on Saturday, July 3.

He said a first response paramedic’s car was the first to arrive.

“Then the police and an ambulance turned up,” he said.

“The police community support officers were also here on their bikes.

“With all that police presence here it looked quite serious.

“It was a really nice day and there were lots of tourists about.”

A Dorset Police spokesman said they were called to Brunswick Terrace after a report of an alleged fight in the street. He said: “The ambulance attended and treated a 46-year-old Weymouth man for facial injuries before he was taken to the Dorset County Hospital for treatment. He was released from the hospital later that afternoon.”

Police arrested a 35-year-old man from Birmingham on suspicion of assault and he was released on police bail while officers continue their enquiries.

The police are appealing for any witnesses or anybody with information to call them in confidence on 01305 222222.