POLICE are hunting a knifeman after an attack near Weymouth seafront which left one man with serious stab wounds.

Police said the attack followed a row between two groups of men near the Park Hotel in Grange Road.

Witnesses told today how they heard shouting in the street before a man was later seen lying in a pool of blood near St John’s Church at Greenhill in the early hours of yesterday.

Police said the victim is a 24-year-old man from Wiltshire.

He is being treated at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester for injuries described as serious but not life threatening.

A section of Dorchester Road and Greenhill was cordoned off for several hours after the attack to allow scenes of crime officers to conduct a forensic examination. It is understood a weapon has been recovered.

Police said no one had been arrested in connection with the attack and inquiries were continuing. They have yet to release a description of the attacker.

It is understood an argument developed in Grange Road between two groups who had earlier been in the Park Hotel. One of the groups had tried to get a drink at last orders but was refused and had left.

The Park hosted a quiz night on Tuesday and landlord Nigel Davis said there was no trouble during the event.

He said: “We locked up at 12.30am and then we heard the police cars. We’ve never had any trouble in here for 15 months.

“It was a very nice evening and everyone was happy, we only knew there had been trouble when the police turned up later asking questions.”

Mr Davis described the area as quiet and community-minded, adding: “It’s just some people here and they spoil it for everyone else.”

A man who had been drinking in the pub but did not want to be named said four men attempted to get a drink at last orders but were refused.

He said: “It’s clear they’d already had a few. They had an aggressive manner and slammed the door on their way out.

“Then later as we were leaving we heard a ruckus down the street. There was a lot of shouting and I could hear a lot of abuse being shouted. I didn’t want to get involved and walked away.”

The man said the shouting and swearing continued as the groups moved towards the seafront. Later he saw a member of the group who had been refused a drink at the pub collapsed on the floor near St John’s Church being attended to by paramedics.

He said: “I had seen him a few minutes before staggering along the road and I presumed he was drunk.

“The next minute he’s there and he’s got blood all over him. It’s not something you see every day round here.”

A passer-by also described how he saw paramedics working on the injured man.

Pete Smith said: “It was about 1am when I saw a man lying on the pavement.

“The man was covered in blood and his top had been ripped off, presumably by the paramedics.

“He was in a real state and it was quite a sight to see.”

Detective Inspector Kevin Lansdale of Weymouth CID said the assault happened about 12.25am.

He said: “Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the Westerhall area is urged to contact Dorset Police.

“I am also appealing to anyone with information about those responsible to contact me urgently.

“I would like to reassure the public that this is an isolated incident and that every effort will be taken to bring those responsible to justice.”

Contact police on 01305 222222 or Crimestoppers.