A MAN who was stabbed in Tyldesley in the early hours of Saturday had items thrown at his car by youths before he got out to confront them.

The 27-year-old victim was passing a group of youths on Elliott Street in Tyldesley at around 3am when items were hurled at his car.

As he got out of his car to confront them one youth ran at him and stabbed him in the chest, leaving him with a six-inch wound.

The man managed to make it to the A&E department of a hospital and police were alerted at around 4.35am.

He remains in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

The group of youths consisted of eight to 10 boys, between the ages of 15 and 18, and at least two girls, of a similar age.

The youth with the knife was wearing black at the time of the incident.

No arrests have been made.

A cordon was in place at the scene as officers investigated.

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Detective Sergeant Lee Jamieson, of Greater Manchester Police's Wigan division, said: “This was a violent attack which left the victim with a six-inch chest wound and could have killed him.

“An investigation is underway and we are treating this with the utmost seriousness - we cannot and will not tolerate this abhorrent behaviour in our communities.

“I would like to use this opportunity to appeal to anyone with information about this incident or those responsible to contact us as soon as possible.

“I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone who witnessed or has dash cam footage of a group of youths walking down Elliott Street and jumping into the carriage way or throwing items.”

If you have any information contact police on 0161 856 5307 quoting 616 of March 7.

Alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.