IT should have been a peaceful and enjoyable occasion as more than 100 people gathered in a Sleaford woodland for a party to mark the summer solstice.

Lithuanian music was playing at the event to mark the longest day of the year on Saturday and revellers enjoyed dancing and picnicking.

But the party turned sour when a small group of people - believed to be Lithuanians - attacked a larger group.

Eight people, including one woman, were stabbed and their wounds were initially described by police as "serious". The injured were taken to Frimley Park Hospital.

The fight broke out just before midnight in the grounds of the Headley Park Hotel where between 100 and 200 people, mostly Lithuanians, had been camping overnight to attend the solstice event.

Whitehill police officers were first to arrive at the scene. They said that the annual event was normally "very, very, peaceful" and passed without any trouble.

Police officers remained at the Sleaford hotel for most of Sunday, taking statements from witnesses.

Police spokeswoman Liz Walsh said that the injured were released from hospital the following day. "At the time, it was considered that most of them were very serious injuries but they were not as serious as first thought.

"They were released from hospital on the Sunday and some came back to retrieve their belongings."

While the incident was taking place outside the hotel, a couple were holding their wedding reception inside.

The hotel management was not prepared to comment on the incident but said that the hotel was not damaged in the brawl.

The hotel, in Picketts Hill, is home to the Lithuanian Country Club and visitors are welcomed by a sign reading "sodyba", meaning "farmstead".

Enquiries have now been handed over to the major incident team in Basingstoke where a team of 33 officers, led by Detective Chief Inspector Dave Williams, is investigating the case.

Detective Sergeant Doug Utting, of Basingstoke Police, who is one of the investigation team, said that the investigation was very much ongoing.

"This was an event organised by the Lithuanian Association of Great Britain," he said.

"It was a family event. The fight took place just before midnight and the majority of people were totally appalled by what happened.

"The end result is that somewhere in the region of eight to 10 people were injured and were taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries."

He added: "This incident was totally out of character for the event."

Thirteen Lithuanian men, mostly from the London area, were arrested for a series of assaults and for violent disorder.

Seven were bailed at the beginning of this week until early July, pending further enquiries.

As The Herald went to press, six remained in custody and were subject to investigation by the Immigration Service.

Police are appealing for any further witnesses to the incident, or anyone who was staying at the hotel on Saturday night, to contact them.

The Herald understands that this incident will not affect the future of the annual event in the hotel's grounds.

• Anyone who has any information about the incident should contact the major incident room on 0845 045 45 45 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.