FOUR men were taken to hospital after two separate violent incidents involving knives in Darwen and Blackburn.

Police were today appealing for witnesses to both attacks . Five people were taken into custody.

Two men in their early 20s suffered serious abdominal injuries after a fight in Sudell Road, Darwen, at 4.45am yesterday. They were taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

A 24-year-old man was taken into custody in connection with the incident and was today being interviewed by police.

Detective Inspector Neil Hunter said: "The men were in a group walking from one party to another. An argument broke out between them and one man drew a knife.

"We need witnesses to help identify the people involved and we are also keen to recover the knife. People in Sudell Road may have heard a commotion or seen the fight. We are still working to establish a motive in this case and why the argument broke out."

In an incident in Blackburn, two men also aged in their early 20s, were taken to hospital suffering bruises and knife slash marks.

The disturbance happened at Gretna Walk, Brownhill, at about 5.30am. Four people aged between 18 and 29 were taken into custody . They were also being interviewed by officers in Greenbank yesterday and today.

House-to-house inquiries were expected to begin today. Residents in the area were too uneasy to comment yesterday.

DI Hunter added: "There was a group of lads in a house when four men turned up. Two men from inside the house were injured but later discharged themselves from hospital. We would like to hear from anyone who might have heard anything.

"This is a serious incident and we are in the process of speaking to the victims."

Anyone with more information should contact Blackburn CID on 01254 353569.