Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting his girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova.

Police arrested the rocker after the incident on Claygate High Street, at about 11.30pm last night, and released him on bail today at about 1.30pm today, pending further enquiries.

A police spokesman said a staff shortage was not the reason he was held for so long but refused to confirm if he had been drinking.

They said: “We can confirm that a 62-year-old man from Esher was arrested last night on suspicion of assault in connection with a domestic incident in Claygate High Street.

"He has this afternoon been released on bail until a date in January pending further inquiries."

Mr Wood has been in an on-off relationship with Miss Ivanova, 20, since splitting from his wife and Kingston Vale resident Jo last year.