AN off-duty police officer was stabbed in the hand and beaten as he arrested a man during an attempted robbery in Leigh on Monday night.

The police officer, Pc Peter Tomlinson, a member of the GMP Mounted Unit, spotted a robbery taking place at Pennington Wine and Spirits, on St Helens Road, at about 9.15pm.

As he attempted to arrest a man there was a violent struggle and the pair fell out of the shop into the street where an accomplice tried to prevent the arrest. In the scuffle that followed Pc Tomlinson was stabbed in the hand by a small knife and he sustained bruises to the back, legs and arms after being kicked to the ground.

Despite the attack Pc Tomlinson managed to keep hold of the first man, but the second man, described as a white male, in his 30s, with a Liverpool accent escaped in a white Ford Fiesta.

Det Insp Ian Foster, of Leigh CID, said PC Tomlinson, who was praised for his action by senior colleagues, was treated at Leigh Infirmary and allowed home.

Anyone who saw the incident, or can offer information, is asked to contact Leigh CID on 0161 872 5050 or the free Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.

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