A Spanish bullfighter is recovering from a five hour operation to repair his face after a terrifying goring in the north-eastern city of Zaragoza, according to a hospital official.

Television images showed the moment when the bull's left horn ripped into Juan Jose Padilla's lower jaw to emerge beside his protruding eyeball as spectators screamed in horror.

The hospital spokesman said Mr Padilla had suffered eye, bone, muscle and skin damage when the bull pinned him to the ground and gored him.

TV footage also showed Mr Padilla getting up from the ring, his face gushing blood, as the bull was distracted by bullring assistants.

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