A MANHUNT is being carried out after a stabbing outside a Waterfoot hotel.

Shoppers and workers taking a lunchtime break looked on in horror as a man was stabbed in the back.

He was left lying on the ground at the side of the road with blood pouring from a single wound.

His attackers, two men with goatee beards, ran back across the main road in the direction of the car park and bus station.

Police have raided a number of local addresses in the search for clues and house -to-house inquiries were taking place today.

Police are continuing to take statements from witnesses.

The incident happened at 1pm yesterday outside the Royal Hotel in the centre of Waterfoot after the victim, another man and two women had been asked to leave because their noisy behaviour was annoying other customers.

Police are not naming the victim, who is now in Bury General Hospital, where his condition is described as "satisfactory.''

Detective Inspector Ron Griffiths said the man, who lives locally, had sustained a single stab wound in the back. It is thought a weapon similar to a lock knife was used. "We want to hear from any witnesses who have not yet come forward.

"This was a serious incident in which a man's life was put in jeopardy. At the moment we don't know the reason for the incident.''

It is believed the two men involved live locally and inquiries are being concentrated in the Rossendale area.

One is described as 5ft 10in to 6ft tall, slim with a pale complexion and goatee beard.

He was wearing a dark jacket, jeans and a white baseball cap.

The second man is 5ft 7in tall, stocky, with a dark goatee beard. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a dark blue Reebok top.

Paul Stannard, grandson of Royal Hotel licensee Maria Stannard, said: "Two couples came into the hotel at about noon and had drinks at the bar.

"They went into the restaurant and ordered a meal but their behaviour was so noisy that they were asked to leave. ''

Paul, who was serving behind the bar, said the two men in their late 20s or early 30s were with two younger woman.

Once they were outside, two other men approached them from the direction of the car park and bus station.

Paul said: "One of them had a knife. There was an argument and a man in a white T-shirt was stabbed.

"There was a lot blood and he was lying on his back outside the hotel. I telephoned for the emergency services."

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