A 21-YEAR-OLD man was left fighting for his life after being stabbed in the chest in a Weymouth alleyway.

Police today are hunting the attacker and have issued a description of a man they would like to speak to who ran from the scene.

The night-time attack, which has shocked the community, happened on a path overlooked by elderly residents’ accommodation between Stavordale Road and Granville Road.

Officers said the victim’s condition was very serious when he was first attacked but his injuries are no longer life threatening.

Eyewitnesses said the area was taped off and police officers with dogs were sent to the area after the stabbing on Friday.

Det Con Chris Hurrell, of Wey-mouth CID said: “Between 8.30pm and 9pm on Friday November 25 a man was stabbed in the alleyway between the two roads.

“Police are seeking to identify a man who was seen running from the scene. We are appealing for witnesses to the incident or who saw the man.”

Paramedics treated the victim for a stab wound to his chest before he was taken to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.

DC Hurrell said: “The victim is a 21-year-old local man who is currently in hospital with a stab wound to his chest.

“It’s not life threatening now but it was touch and go to start with.”

Detectives want help identifying a man who ran from the scene.

He is described as being black, aged in his early 20s, 6ft tall and of a skinny build.

He was wearing all black clothing barring a red t-shirt under his top and a brown beanie-style hat.

Residents told how police swooped on the area on Friday night.

One resident of Stavordale Road, who did not wish to be named, said she had seen police cars at the entrance to the alleyway.

She said: “I saw one policeman who stayed there all the time by the old people’s home.

“Then another police car came and a man got out with dogs.”

She added: “They were there for quite a long time and left about 10.30pm.”

Another resident, who also wan-ted to remain anonymous, said she had seen a man in the area fitting the description of the person police would like to speak to earlier that afternoon with two others.

She said: “On Friday afternoon I saw three young men walking in the middle of Stavordale Road.

“They were having a look around and I thought it was unusual because they came back down the road a couple of minutes later.”

Witnesses and anyone with information about the area are asked to call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 or call Crimestop-pers anonymously on 0800 555 111.