A YOUNG woman was fighting for life in hospital last night after she was stabbed at her mother's house.

Hazel Robinson, 21, was critically ill at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, following the incident late on Friday night in Heddon Grove, Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton.

Miss Robinson, a fitness instructor at Bannatynes Health Club, in Ingleby Barwick, suffered multiple injuries and has undergone two operations.

Her partner, 23-year-old Martin Shaw, a bodybuilder and former doorman, suffered superficial stab wounds to his neck and abdomen in the incident, but his condition is not giving doctors cause for concern.

He is under police guard at the James Cook University Hospital.

No one else was injured during the attack.

Miss Robinson has lived with Mr Shaw, who owned a window cleaning business, for the past six months at his house in Whitchurch Close, Ingleby Barwick.

Her parents, Keith and Janet, who are divorced, are by her bed, and police said that they were shocked and devastated by what had happened to their daughter.

Her sister, Helen, who is in the Caribbean, will take the next available flight back to England and will be met by police at Manchester airport.

Acting Detective Inspector Adrian Bradley, who is heading the investigation, said: "We are trying to piece the sequence of events which led to the traumatic attack.

"We want to speak to friends and acquaintances of Hazel, particularly those who have been in touch and spoken to her over the past few days. We are trying to build up a picture of her life and her relationship with the 23-year-old man.

"I understand that Hazel is a typical happy-go-lucky young lady from a good home and with a good job.

"It was a vicious assault and it is imperative that all who know her get in touch with us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information is asked to call Cleveland Police on (01642) 302226.