DOCTORS are battling to save two men following a fight over Christmas presents at a house in Nelson.

Police and paramedics were called to two addresses in Chapel Street at shortly after 3.30pm on Saturday after a four-year-old girl ran to a neighbour saying her father had been stabbed.

Neighbours named one of the two injured men, aged 48 and 51, as former soldier Steven Martin.

Police said that a man stabbed Mr Martin following a row believed to be about Christmas presents, before turning the knife on himself.

Both men were today said to be in a poorly condition in Burnley General Hospital after extensive surgery.

Detectives are appealing for information, including trying to trace the weapon or weapons used in the incident, and are trying to establish if anyone else was involved.

The terrace street was sealed off after police were called to the incident at 3.30pm on Saturday and the house at the centre of the incident remained sealed off and guarded by police this morning.

Neighbours said Mr Smith had lived in the rented house with his four-year-old daughter since around September.

One elderly woman, who asked not to be named, said: "We don't really know a lot about him because he kept himself to himself. It's the little girl I feel sorry for, what a dreadful thing to happen.

"The first thing we knew was when she ran into next door saying 'my daddy's been stabbed' so I called the police.

"I think Mr Martin used to be in the army, but he had to give up work to look after his daughter."

Another neighbour added: "We saw the little girl run out of the house and then the man came out and collpased in the front yard. It was very frightening."

A police spokesman said: "At 3.30pm on Saturday police and Lancashire Ambulance service were called to two addresses on Chapel Street where two males were found with serious injuries which appeared to be stab wounds. The males, aged 48 and 51, were taken to Burnley General Hospital where both have undergone extensive surgery. Their condition is described as very poorly."

The man leading the investigation Det Insp Sam Birtwell, of Burnley CID, said: "At this stage we cannot rule out the possibility that other people may have been involved and I would appeal for anyone who knows anything to contact us urgently. I would also ask that if anyone finds anything in the vicinity which could have been used as a weapon to give us a call."

Anyone with information should call police on 01282 425001 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.