POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man sustained potentially life-threatening injuries in Weymouth town centre.

The incident happened at 2.35am on Sunday, January 25 near the Golden Lion on St Edmund Street.

A fight reportedly began outside the pub and then continued along St Edmund Street, into Market Street and ending in East Street, where one man was stabbed by another man five times.

The victim, a 28-year-old from Weymouth, was taken to Dorset County Hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries.

Officers believe that there may have been another victim involved in the incident.

Detective Constable Neil Gilbraith, of Weymouth CID, said: “One man has been seriously injured and we need to determine exactly what happened.

“We are urging the second victim to come forward in order to help us with this investigation.

“I would also like to appeal to members of the public who witnessed this incident to contact Dorset Police, with any information, as soon as possible.”

A 41-year-old man has been arrested and charged with wounding with intent.

A spokeswoman for South Western Ambulance Service confirmed they had received a call at 2.32am to reports of an assault involving a male casualty.

She said: "We sent an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle."

Cllr Francis Drake, who represents the Melcombe Regis ward for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, said: “We do have trouble in the town centre on different occasions, that’s true.

“Our biggest problem is the lack of police in the town at night. This is required.

“This (incident) is not something that we want in Weymouth because we are trying to give the image we are a seaside town.

“We don’t want this sort of behaviour going on in our town centre.

“We need to ask the public if they have seen anything to come forward, especially if it’s a stabbing.

“This is something that we don’t require in the town.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting incident number 25:53. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.