A KNIFEMAN stabbed a 63-year-old man in the penis and testicles in a 'sickening' pub attack.

The victim is believed to have been drinking at the Pound Pub in Market Street, Atherton, when he was approached by the attacker, who asked to speak to him outside.

After he stepped into the street, the knifeman stabbed him 'in the groin area', injuring his penis and testicles.

He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with injuries that, while painful, are not thought to be life-threatening.

An ambulance was called at 9.11pm and was on the scene at 9.16pm.

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman said: "He suffered minimal lacerations and was wounded in a central location.

"The hospital was informed prior to his arrival but staff were not on standby. The man suffered minimal bleeding."

Joe Ross, aged 37, from Atherton, said: “A lot of people have been talking about what happened but it has been turning into Chinese whispers.

"The man’s injuries are a man’s worst nightmare. A man inflicting an injury like that on another man is just sickening, it’s wrong.

"I can’t think about it without feeling ill myself.”