POLICE have released a picture of a man they are trying to trace in connection with a serious stabbing in a Darwen pub.

A 40-year-old man was stabbed in the groin at The Ellenshaw Arms, Kay Street.

The family man, who the police are not naming, is 'stable' in Blackburn Infirmary with a serious knife wound and other cuts.

Now police want to question John Costello, 37, of Darwen, in relation to the attack.

They believe he and another man, 50-year-old John McConville, were involved in the incident, around 9pm on Sunday.

Temporary Detective Inspector Ian Critchley said: "This offence involved a violent attack by two men using a weapon on a 40-year-old man who has been described by many witnesses as being a family man who was minding his own business in the pub.

"We are treating this very seriously and asking for the assistance of the public to trace these two men.

"We want to speak to anyone with knowledge of these two men who we want to speak to and question in relation to the incident.

"In view of the fact that a weapon, which we believe to be a knife, was used , we would urge people not to approach them but to contact us."

Mr Costello, who is Scottish, is stocky, 5ft 4ins, with short, dark hair while Mr McConville is 5ft 9ins, of large build with very short hair. The landlady of the Ellenshaw Arms, who did not want to be named, said: "The man who was stabbed was a regular and was never any trouble. He is a lovely man and minds his own business.

"I hope anyone who can help the police find these men will do so."

Anyone with information should contact Darwen CID on 01254 353841.