A MAN suffered serious head injuries after a row over loud music between residents of temporary council accommodation erupted into violence.

Police said that Michael Bailey, 29, was attacked with a baseball bat at the Howe Hill council flats in Acomb Road, Acomb, last night.

His wife, Rosemary, 28, suffered slight injuries to her arm after also being struck during the incident at about 10.30pm.

Police sealed off the flats before beginning negotiations with a resident, whom officers feared had a meat cleaver.

But an hour later officers moved in to the premises and no such weapon was found.

A spokeswoman for Tees East and North Yorkshire ambulance service confirmed a man had been taken to York Hospital last night.

She said he had suffered serious head injuries but remained conscious.

Howe Hill is a temporary hostel for people who have been declared homeless, and is run by City of York Council.

Lesley Healey, the council's group manager, access and support, said: "We can confirm that an incident occurred yesterday between three people at Howe Hill.

"The police were called immediately and are currently dealing with the matter."

A man arrested following last night's incident was today being held at Fulford Police Station.

Updated: 14:27 Tuesday, June 10, 2003