A YOUNG singer from Barrow has told of the moment a drunken woman walked up to her and punched her in the face as she performed in a bar.

Tiffany Southward was performing to a busy crowd at recently-opened Barrow venue the New Empire on Saturday night when the horrific incident happened.

As the 21-year-old former Askam carnival queen belted out a cover version of Duffy's Warwick Avenue in the final five minutes of her set, a woman walked up to the stage and, without warning or reason, punched Miss Southward in the face.

The singer was left with a swollen lip and the marks from the microphone imprinted on her face.

"I don't know her, I was just finishing my last song when she walked up to me and hit me," Miss Southward said.

"The whole night had been fantastic up till that point. I'm just glad my boyfriend and his family were there."

Miss Southward now has doubts about her ability to perform at her next gig, due to be held at the Black Dog in Dalton on May 13.

She said: "It's really shaken my confidence. I've spent years building up my career. I've been doing gigs since I was 14 and for something like this to happen was awful.

"I don't know whether I should take a break from it for a couple of months. The support I've had though, from friends and family, has been so nice."


Steve Neale, the bar's licence holder, said everyone in the venue was shocked by the incident.

"It's awful that someone could do that to her," he said.

"The night itself had been fantastic, it was really busy and lots of people had come along to support Tiffany.

"The police have got hold of the CCTV and Tiffany is OK now. I've spoken to her since it happened."

The Empire was open during the 1980s and 1990s and was later rebranded as Sophia's.

Run by licence holder Helen Clauson, Sophia's opened in late 2011 but later closed. Mr Neale took over the venue and opened it again on March 18.

Anyone with information about the attack on Saturday is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

SUPPORT FOR TIFFANY

Readers have been voicing their support for the singer.

Jean Fagan Good God what is the matter with people nowadays... disgusting.

Amanda Purcell How awful.

Tara Haley That’s awful, hope she’s OK.

Sandra Warren Why? What was the point? Whoever did it should be banned from pubs, clubs, restaurants and any other public place. Disgusting, poor lass.

Paula Turnough Why do people think it’s ok to do this kind of thing? Disgusting.

Kerys Heslop Tiffany Southward, glad your OK babe but honestly this person is a disgrace.

Maureen Mason-Balding Hope it doesn’t put this young talent off and the person responsible should be locked up

Jaime Brennan Absolutely disgusting! What a vile woman! I hope the young lady is OK and this doesn’t put her off doing what she loves. You have a beautiful voice.

Owen Smith All violent people should be sent to Syria if they want to fight.

Christine Mcguckin The town is getting worse. Poor girl, hope she is OK.

Gemma Bolam I heard you at Clarence House and you were amazing! You sent goosebumps down my arm; you were fantastic. Please do not give up but maybe sing in nicer places as jealousy is a horrible emotion and brings the worst out in people.

Judith Evans What a horrible senseless person hope you’re OK. Keep on doing what you love.

May Purcell Absolutely disgusting. What kind of a world are we living in? It beggars belief. Poor girl.