A YOUNG mother is to have her eye removed after a pint glass was smashed into her face during a violent attack in a nightclub.

The 22-year-old victim, from Bankfields, Middlesbrough, was left with serious facial injuries after the attack at the Aruba nightclub, in Redcar, east Cleveland, shortly after midnight on Saturday.

She was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where medical staff battled to save the sight of her left eye.

But she was told by doctors on Sunday that it will have to be removed today.

The Northern Echo has agreed not to name the victim, who is so upset by the experience that she plans to give up work.

She lives with her 23-year-old partner in the Thorntree area of Middlesbrough.

Her partner said they had both been left deeply shocked by the incident.

"She hadn't been out without me for ages because she had a baby six months ago," he said.

"She'd gone out with work colleagues and got into a dispute. The next thing she knew she was on the floor and, when she tried to get up, a pint glass was smashed into her face."

He said his partner was devastated when doctors told her she would have to have the eye removed and a glass eye put in its place.

"She's a 22-year-old lass and very pretty," he said.

"She's slowly coming to terms with it but it is going to take time.

"I just know that if I had been with her I could have prevented it from happening."

He said both he and his partner were going to leave their jobs.

"I can't leave her looking after her child in this state. The attack has ruined her life - nothing warrants this kind of attack."

* A 22-year-old woman has been arrested and was yesterday helping police with their inquiries.

Last night, Cleveland Police repeated their appeal for witnesses to the incident.

Anyone who saw what happened or has further information is asked to call Detective Constable Sonia Moss, at Redcar police station, on (01642) 302626.