A MANHUNT was launched after a customer was stabbed in the back during a row at a Bury takeaway.

The 27-year-old victim, Mr Mohammed Shafiq, from Rochdale, was yesterday in a stable condition at Fairfield General Hospital after the attack at the Punjab Takeaway in Lord Street on Wednesday night. His injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

It is understood the attacker is known to the victim.

Detective Inspector Simon Collier from Bury CID said yesterday: "We are following a positive line of enquiry and every effort is being made to track down the culprit.

"In the meantime we would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the stabbing, which happened at 11.30pm, to contact the police immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the CID at Bury on 0161 856 8150 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.