A PUB owner has spoken after customers were forced to leave their Sunday lunches after a family altercation in its kitchen.

Dean Lewis, who with his wife Karen runs the Royal Oak at Hawkeridge, responded to customers who complained about the "disgraceful" scenes which ended in police being called.

Customers hoping for a lovely Sunday lunch got more than they bargained for when there was an altercation in the kitchen.

The pub was forced to call in police and close early. Some customers said they had “never witnessed anything like it”.

Wiltshire Police confirmed they were called out at 1.50pm but no arrests were made.

Mr Lewis said: "This was a very traumatic experience for the family that had to call the police due to their son having a breakdown at work.

"Having recently lost his son / our grandson, it clearly was a mistake in thinking that the best place for him was to be back at work."

"We are all devastated by the incident and thank our amazing staff and wonderful customers in supporting the Royal Oak and family."