A man was arrested and a second man taken to hospital with suspected jaw injuries after they became involved in a fight outside Falmouth's Seafarer's Mission.

Witnesses say that the two men began scrapping in Bar Road, near to Armyn House - a hostel of international sailors run by the British International Sailor's Society - although it is not suggested that the incident is connected to the Mission.

Police have confirmed that the fight was between a white man and a man of Asian origin, although it is not known at this stage whether the row was racially motivated.

Sergeant Tony Joslin, from Falmouth police station, said yesterday: "There is an individual in custody in relation to this incident. We have spoken to some of the witnesses." However, he added that the man had not been charged.

Sergeant Joslin continued that the Asian man had been taken to hospital for "purely precautionary" measures as it was not yet clear how serious the extent of his injuries were.

Witnesses have said that the two men both had the words "security" written on their clothing and that it appeared they knew each other. However, Sergeant Joslin said he was not prepared to discuss the details of the case.

A police spokesperson said that police attended the scene at 11.50am following a call from a man saying he had been "assaulted" and that the offender had left but was known to him.

A spokesperson for Armyn House added that the incident had not been connected to the Mission.