A MAN was "badly beaten" in a street fight last night in Poole, an eye-witness said.

Police were called to Ringwood Road shortly after 7pm on Saturday evening after receiving multiple reports of a group of men fighting in the street.

And a woman who witnessed the fight said there is still blood on the pavement outside Coastal Car Sales this morning.

The witness, who said she initially believed the noises she heard were the result of a car crash outside, called 999 after opening her curtains to see one man holding another on the ground while hitting him.

"When I looked out, I could see a blue Morebus and a Yellowbus, and in between them were two cars parked half on the pavement," she said.

"I thought there had been a crash - that was my first thought. I saw a young man with a bicycle and then I realised there were two men on the floor by the cars.

"I could hear one of them screaming, 'I'm going to kill you', and the bloke on the floor underneath him looked like he was writhing in agony."

She said she dialled the emergency services immediately, adding: "It was awful.

"The bloke with the bike got in between them at one point and threw some punches of his own before riding off. The traffic was really building up because no one could get around the buses and cars."

The witness saw three police cars and a van arrive, as well as an ambulance, and said one of the men was led off in handcuffs.

The injured man was treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to Poole Hospital.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said: "All I can confirm is that one man is helping officers with their inquiries."