HUNDREDS of clubbers had to leave a popular York nightspot early after a man was hurt in a fight in which bottles and glasses may have been thrown.

It was initially feared the victim had been seriously injured in the fracas, which broke out near a ground floor dance floor at Toffs nightclub, at Toft Green, in the early hours of Saturday.

About 600 people were in the club at the time.

Police said the man had suffered a "serious head injury", but he was released from York Hospital later on Saturday.

Detective Sergeant Nigel Costello, from York CID, said the injured man - believed to be aged about 19 and from York - had been left with a facial fracture and heavily bruised shoulder.

The club closed its doors to revellers when police were called after the violence at about 1.50am.

Details about what exactly happened in the club were still emerging, but Det Sgt Costello said there was a suggestion at this stage bottles and glasses could have been thrown.

"There has been some commotion inside the club that's involved a number of people, possibly two opposing groups," he said.

About 320 clubbers were kept inside while police took down statements and contact details in an attempt to establish what happened.

One staff member at the club, who would not be named, described seeing the victim covered in blood as he was carried from the building after being knocked to the ground.

"A lot of people were asking what was happening and why the police were there," he said.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police thanked staff at the club for the "professional and calm" help in closing the club after the ugly scenes.

"They greatly assisted the police in defusing a potentially difficult situation," he said.

"The police would like to thank them for the patient understanding they displayed."

A woman has been arrested in connection with the incident, and released on police bail.

Any witnesses to the incident are being urged to phone police on 0845 6060247.

Updated: 10:16 Monday, December 05, 2005