FOUR people were being questioned last night over a stabbing that left a man fighting for his life.

Bobby Bradley is in an intensive care unit after being found in a pool of blood in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, late on Saturday.

Police were called at about 10.15pm on Saturday after receiving reports that a man was being chased by a group of several other men down Williamfield Way, near the Southerne Social Club.

Officers found 28-year-old Mr Bradley semi-conscious by the roadside.

He had been stabbed several times in the legs and lower back, and the first police officers on the scene gave immediate first aid.

Paramedics took over and he was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital where last night his condition was described as critical but stable.

Four men - aged 29, 31, 33 and 41, all from the town - were arrested on Saturday night on suspicion of assault.

About 20 detectives are working on the case.

Inquiries are centring on an area near the Dandy Cart pub, which remained closed yesterday.

Crime scene investigators combed streets in a nearby housing estate searching for weapons. Fire crews were called in to help, using ladders to climb on to flat roofs of homes in Silverdale.

Detectives interviewed a number of witnesses who were in the area on Saturday night. Although police spoke briefly to the victim, he was unable to tell them what had happened.

The officer leading the investigation said yesterday he believed there were other people with information who had not been traced.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Reddick said: "Mr Bradley lost a huge amount of blood in what was a sustained and horrific attack. At this stage we are fairly certain this was not a robbery, but we don't have a clear motive."

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on (01325) 314401 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.