THREE young men were stabbed in a Burnley street in what police have described as a particularly nasty' attack.

The men, aged 18,19 and 23, were injured in the incident which took place the Burnley Wood area of the town at around 2am on Saturday morning.

All the men were treated at Burnley General Hospital for stab wounds to the buttock, back and stomach respectively before they were discharged.

An hour earlier a woman in her fifties received head injuries in what police believe was a related attack. She was also treated at hospital.

It is believed that each of the stab victims had been drinking at a party on Hollingreave Road before they were attacked and that earlier confrontations may have taken place on Hufling Lane and Branch Road.

One resident said they alerted police when they saw up to six men armed with knives in the area.

Another said they made an emergency call after seeing one person carrying a blade.

Speculation has mounted in the community that men from Liverpool or out of town may have been involved in a feud.

And as a result residents called for more community beat officers in the area.

Five individuals were arrested in connection with the incident shortly after it occurred but police have appealed for further information to support their ongoing investigation.

DC John McNamara of Burnley CID said: "This was a particularly nasty attack and we are appealing for anyone who might have information or know something to come forward."

Anyone who may have information about either incident should contact DC John McNamara on 01282 472240 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.