A MAN was stabbed in the head after an argument in his home on Christmas Eve, police said.

Police said people in the house had been drinking when the attack took place in Canal Mews, Nelson, at 8.15pm on Monday December 24.

A local man was arrested in connection with the incident on suspicion of assault but has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

The injured man, 64, was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital with serious bleeding by paramedics.

He was released later that night.

He sustained some very small cuts, approximately 1cm in length, to his head, according to police.

Police initially said that the man had been attacked after a burglary at the property but this has now been found not to be the case.

A police spokesperson said: "There appears to have been an argument when people had been drinking when the incident took place Canal Mews in Nelson.

"They all appear to know each other.

"He has been stabbed in the head and was taken to hospital.

"He sustained very small cuts to his head and was taken to hospital but is at home now.

"A local man was arrested on suspicion of assault and has now been released on police bail.

"Our enquiries are still on-going at the moment.

A spokesperson for the ambulance services said: "A 64-year-old male was assaulted in his home.

"It was apparently a stabbing and he had a wound to his head with serious bleeding."