Emergency services were called to the aid of a political canvasser this morning.

Eileen Bessant, who is in her 70s, cut her head when she tripped on a paving slab at 11am while canvassing for UKIP in Eastleigh town centre.

She is a long-standing party member who had travelled from West Moors in Dorset to help the party in the run up to the Eastleigh by-election next week.

Police and paramedics were on the scene outside Santander and treated her injury inside the bank.

She is not thought to be in a serious condition.

John Butler, 54, chair of UKIP Poole and Mid Dorset, who was with Eileen at the time, said: "Knowing Eileen she'll be back out here canvassing again in no time. She won't sit still for long.

"Canvassing is a hazardous job. Last week, MEP Stuart Agnew fractured his leg when he slipped on the ice while canvassing for us in Eastleigh."