A bullfighter is in a serious condition in hospital after being gored in the groin by a bull in a town in north-eastern Spain.

Francisco Rivera Ordonez - or 'Paquirri' - was participating in a bullfight in the town of Huesca when the incident took place.

AFP reports that the bull sank its horn 25 centimetres (10 inches) into Paquirri's groin.

Ordonez is said to be in a serious but stable condition in hospital. None of his vital organs are believed to have been damaged.

'Paquirri' is part of a well-known bullfighting dynasty, with his brother and grandfather also bullfighters. His father - who was also known as Paquirri - died after being gored in 1984.

Bullfighting remains a popular activity in Spain, although has been a subject of controversy in recent times. The region of Catalonia - which includes Barcelona - has banned bullfighting since 2012.