A TEENAGER was critically injured after being stabbed in the stomach during a vicious gang fight.

Christopher Shackleton, 19, from Blackburn, had an operation at Blackburn Royal Infirmary after being wounded at around 10pm on Saturday.

Police said a gang of youths ran at a red Ford Fiesta when it drove into Albert Place, in Lower Darwen.

The industrial area is a well-known meeting place for youths.

The youths threw bricks and rocks at the J-registered car, in which Mr Shackleton was a front-seat passenger and which contained three other people.

A fight broke out and Mr Shackleton was stabbed in the stomach. Emergency services were called and he was taken to Blackburn Infirmary where his condition was today said to be stable.

Detective Sergeant Mark Nasser said: "This was a particularly vicious attack and we are appealing for witnesses."

The three other youths in the car were caught by police at the scene and are among seven youngsters helping with inquiries.

No one has been arrested.

Detective Inspector Neil Hunter said he hoped to be abled to speak to the wounded teenager later today.

He added: "The area is a place where youths from Lower Darwen and the Fishmoor area are known to congregate and we need to establish if these two gangs knew each other.

"Anybody that arms themselves with a knife and then is willing to use it in an altercation such as this can only be described as vicious.

"This was a callous and cowardly attack."

A worker at a local business, who wished to remain anonymous, said he had heard noises coming from down the street late on Saturday.

"I heard lots of bangs and crashes and shouting," he said.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Darwen CID on 01254 353841 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.