Residents of a quiet Weymouth community have spoken of their shock after a man was stabbed in the stomach at the local pub.

Investigations are continuing today after a local man was stabbed at the John Gregory pub in Southill in the early hours of Sunday.

Residents of Southill have expressed their shock that the crime occurred in the usually 'quiet and docile' area of Weymouth.

According to police, the victim, a local man in his 40s, was approached by three or four men in the pub toilets who offered to sell him drugs.

When the man refused, he was stabbed.

The victim was taken to Dorset County Hospital – his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Joe Hawkins who lives in Southill and works at the pharmacy close to the pub said he had been stunned by the incident.

"I'm shocked. We never have any trouble around here. Southill is a very quiet area with quite an elderly population. Even the pub is usually quiet. It gets busy on a Friday and Saturday evening, but there's not normally trouble.

"I've lived in Southill on and off for 10 years and I can't remember anything like this happening before. We never have any kind of violence."

The landlord of the pub, who didn't want to be named, denied the altercation had taken place inside the pub. He claimed it had happened outside the establishment after he had been called time at the bar.

He declined to comment further.

Councillor for Westham North, Christine James said the crime was 'absolutely appalling'.

"I wish the victim all the best and hope he is going to be OK," Cllr James said. "There have been issues in the town centre but if these sort of crimes are beginning to spread outwards to quiet areas like Southill, that's really shocking.

"It's a close-knit community in Southill so I can't imagine there isn't someone who knows something - I urge anyone who may have seen anything to tell police as it could be more serious next time."

Police said the attack happened at 12.08am on Sunday.

One of the offenders is described as a bald man, aged in his 40s, with a tattoo on his neck of possibly a dragon or a snake.

Detective Constable Kelly Wood, of Weymouth CID, said: “We have been carrying out a number of enquiries to identify the offenders, including CCTV trawls of the area.

“I am aware that there were a number of people in the pub at the time of the incident. I am appealing for anyone who witnessed what happened, and has not yet spoken to police, to please get in touch.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who may have any information that can assist my investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting occurrence number 55180141782.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.