A man was arrested on suspicion of assault after a fight outside a church in Week Street on Christmas Eve.

Police were called to St Francis Roman Catholic Church at about 7pm where they arrested the 29-year-old.

He told police he had borrowed a mobile phone from a member of the church congregation, which at the time was full of people attending Christmas mass.

It is understood he was then confronted just outside the church near the Society Rooms by another man who accused him of stealing. A scuffle then broke out.

It is not yet known if anyone was seriously injured during the incident.

Michael Aylward, attended the service. He described hearing screaming and shouting just outside the church, and later the sound of sirens.

The 67-year-old said: "When we came out of the church the steps were just awash with blood.

"I was amazed I seem to be the only person in the congregation that had really noticed anything that had happened.

The Loose Road resident added: "I have been coming to this church since 1948, but this is the first time anything like this has happened before."

The arrested man was later released without charge.