DETECTIVES have launched an appeal for help after a 67-year-old man was found with serious injuries at a fruit shop in East Lancashire.

Police say the victim, who has not been named, was found unconscious inside SB Fruits, in Water Street, Earby, at around 10am yesterday.

He was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment, where he remains in a critical condition.

Police have arrested a 49-year-old Earby woman on suspicion of assault.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that the victim lives at the premises and the man and woman are known to each other.

Detectives are now trying to piece together his movements between 5pm on Monday and 10am on Tuesday, to establish how he came by his injuries.

Det Insp Nicola Bithell, of East CID, said: "This man has suffered some serious and significant injuries and is very poorly in hospital.

"While we have arrested someone in connection with this incident our enquiries are very much on-going and I would appeal to anyone who may have information which could help to come forward and contact us."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting log number 0384 of June 4 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.