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In these shocking scenes the unknown women were left covered in blood after the pair met on a street corner ahead of the 2017 General Election. One woman who appears to be older than her rival is seen with a glass in her hand. In one of the photos the much younger woman appeared to attack the other.

GETTY Ukip's election got off to a horrific start ahead of the June 8 vote

We were called to an incident today Cleveland Police

The astonishing scenes in County Durham happened earlier today and are being investigated by police. According to a source the younger blonde woman was believed to be pro EU campaigner, and the other woman was thought to be a Ukip supporter. They were were spotted fighting each other in Hartlepool.

GETTY One woman reaches out to scratch the other in a street battle

It came as Ukip leader Paul Nuttall headed out on the campaign trail. A spokesperson for Cleveland Police confirmed told MailOnline officers attended the scene. They said: “We were called to an incident today but we weren’t aware that Ukip were going to be there." A spokesperson for Ukip said: “Neither women is involved with Ukip and we hope cooler heads prevail."

GETTY The disgraceful scenes show the state of division in the country

Two members of the North East for Europe group, who were in attendance at the event, said the woman were not associated with North East for Europe in any way. They added: “We’re a peaceful group, we’re just trying to make sure people of the North East are aware that we’re here to support the North East and their role to Europe. “We're against everything that Ukip and their xenophobic policies stand for."

UKIP MEP Paul Nuttall visits the Roma ghetto in Sofia Wed, February 1, 2017 Fakulteta district of Sofia, Bulgaria where 55,000 Bulgarian romas live in exteme poverty Play slideshow 1 of 11 Roma children lie in squalor as they cry for food