Dawn Smith, who was standing for the Stop Durrington's Overdevelopment - Save Titnore's Trees party, in the borough's Northbrook ward, was arrested for disorderly behaviour after a row at Worthing's Assembly Hall.

Herald chief photographer Stephen Goodger was at the scene to capture the drama.

Trouble erupted as returning officer Ian Lowrie announced results for two Adur District Council wards at the joint Worthing/Adur count.

A man was also arrested by police on suspicion of carrying an offensive weapon, believed to be a knife, and a public order offence.

Others were dragged from the building by security guards crying "This is not democracy".

The row is believed to have started after Ms Smith's supporters were refused entry to the count.

An eyewitness said four people managed to get into the hall while two were refused entry in the building's foyer.

One sat at the counting tables as votes were counted and pulled his hood up while others laid on the floor in the middle of the tables.

The eyewitness said: "They were kicking and flailing about so we decided to body-lift them and carried them out of here."

One party supporter, a 19-year-old man who has lived at Titnore Woods since Christmas, and who did not want to be named, said: "We just wanted to come in and support Dawn.

"We weren't going to cause any trouble."

Inspector Gavin Whitehouse, of Worthing police, said: "There was a minimal police presence just monitoring the behaviour of the people at the count.

"Then, there was a disturbance by a group of people and as a result two people were arrested.

"It is extremely early days. We are still trying to get confirmation of exactly what happened."


Click here for live results as they are announced.



-------------------------------------
Click here to go back to Worthing news.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.uk