A GROUP Four security guard was attacked by a prisoner in the cells of a County Durham police station yesterday.

The incident happened at Chester-le-Street police station, just before 11am, after a defendant was refused a cigarette. The prison officer was not seriously injured in the attack and was treated by a police doctor at the scene.

Police officers and other security staff calmed the situation, but at least one other Group Four employee was hurt.

A County Durham Police spokesman said: "The prisoner was due to appear before magistrates and was in the cells at the police station next door when the disturbance happened.

"It was only a minor thing that sparked the incident."