Longoria struck by falling pole

Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria narrowly escaped serious injury after she was struck on the head by a falling pole while filming the second series of the hit TV show.

Longoria - who plays adulterous Gabrielle Solis in the US television drama - was rushed to a nearby hospital after the heavy object fell from part of the suburban set in Pasadena, California.

Her spokeswoman has confirmed the 30-year-old escaped the accident with a mere "bump on the head" and was treated and released the same day.