A MAN who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after five people suffered stab wounds in a psychiatric centre has been released back into the mental health service.

Police and paramedics were called to Cygnet Fountains centre in Pleasington Close, Blackburn, to reports a patient had attacked members of staff and another patient at 4.10pm on Sunday.

A police spokesman said five people were attacked with scissors and suffered stab wounds.

Witnesses said up to nine police vehicles, including a van, and three ambulances were at the scene.

Officers remained there throughout the afternoon and evening and were still on site at 9.30pm.

Cygnet Fountains is a 32 bed high-dependency inpatient rehabilitation service for men who have severe and enduring mental illness and who may have been detained under the Mental Health Act.

A Cygnet Fountains spokesman praised its staff for acting effectively and professionally.

A police spokesman said: "A man in his 40s who was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has been released back to the mental health services.

"He has still been detained under the mental health act."