IMPARTIAL Reporter photographer John McVitty has spoken of the terrifying moment he was hit by tear gas after being caught up in trouble in Marseille ahead of Euro 2016.

Mr. McVitty who is in France to report on the tournament was having a meal with his wife Dawn and their two friends in the city's Old Port area last night when violence broke out between some England fans and local youths.

According to Mr. McVitty, the two groups were seen attacking each other, as French police used tear gas and batons to bring the trouble under control.

“We were having a meal with our friends in one of the restaurants when it all kicked off. All of a sudden there were up to 15 police cars stopped outside, then the riot police arrived, carrying batons and wearing helmets. Within no time it had moved across the road towards us,” he said.

The Fermanagh based photographer watched as bottles and chairs were thrown through the air.

“People were being sick because of the tear gas, there was another man and he had his hands over his eyes. There was a takeaway nearby and all we could do was watch as a man was beaten up,” he said.

As tensions intensified, Mr. McVitty, an award-winning photographer, was hit by tear gas.

“All you could hear was the banging of the tear gas, the explosions. Then out of nowhere it hit me; it took my breath away. It got into my eyes, up my nose. It was really strong, it made me feel very numb and it hurt my eyes. The whole thing was aggressive,” he said.