A MAN was stabbed in the neck in a broad daylight attack.

The 19-year-old from Nelson suffered a large knife wound in his neck after a fight broke out between groups of Polish immigrants and local men in Larch Street in the town just before 2.30pm on Saturday, police said.

Officers said there was no evidence at the moment to suggest that the attack was racially-motivated, but said the stab victim was lucky to have escaped more serious injury.

He was taken by ambulance to Burnley General Hospital, where he has had "extensive surgery", but police said his injuries were not life-threatening.

He remains in hospital, where he was said to be "comfortable."

Four man have been arrested by police.

Detective Inspector Dean Holden, of Burnley CID, said: "The police were contacted by the ambulance service.

"Detectives did house-to-house inquiries throughout the Fir Street and Larch street areas that afternoon, and because this was out in the street during the afternoon we think a number of people saw what went on.

"It appears that there were also a number of altercations between the two groups before the main attack, and we would like to speak to anyone who saw the men fighting earlier that day.

"The victim's injuries are not life-threatening, but having said that it was a big laceration to his neck and he was very fortunate that it was not more serious."

He asked anyone with information about the incident to contact police on 01282 425001, or Crimestoppers, free and confidentially, on 0800 555 111.