A MAN was taken to hospital after being stabbed outside a McDonald's restaurant on Sunday afternoon.

A 25-year-old man from Leigh suffered puncture wounds and was rushed to hospital after being stabbed outside the fast-food outlet on Bridge Street in Warrington.

He has since been discharged.

Police were called to the scene at around 4.30pm and arrested a 15-year-old boy from Widnes around half-an-hour later on Melville Close in Orford.

Three police cars were seen nearby on Winwick Road, near to the Tesco Extra store, with the boy having been held on suspicion of wounding with intent.

He has since been released by police under investigation, pending further enquiries.

Cheshire Police has moved to reassure residents that the incident was "isolated" and have appealed for witnesses to come forward in order to assist with its enquiries.

Sergeant Darren Reid said: “I would like to reassure the public that this is believed to be an isolated incident and we are doing everything we can to establish exactly what happened and who was responsible.

“Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and as part of our investigation we are appealing for anyone who was in the area and witnessed the incident, or anything else that may aid our investigation, to get in touch.

“The same goes for anyone with mobile phone or dashcam footage that may be relevant to the investigation.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML462884, or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Watch reader Chris Lowe's video footage of the teenager being arrested on Winwick Road in Warrington above.