A MAN was left bleeding in a Worcester street after being stabbed in the stomach.

Police cordoned off Avon Road, in Tolladine, after paramedics tended the man who was critically ill.

The victim, a 37-year-old, was rushed to the city's Ronkswood Hospital following the incident on Wednesday.

Detectives spent yesterday quizzing residents. but one man living in Avon Road said he saw police had cordoned off the stretch when he returned home in the early hours of Thursday.

"Police were only letting residents into the road," said the man, who did not want to be named.

"Police had still cordoned off the road the next day. They were knocking on people's doors, asking if they'd seen anything that night and yesterday morning."

The road was not opened until about 4pm or 4.30pm yesterday, according to another resident, who also did not want to be named.

Others said they thought the stab victim lived in Avon Road, and that the attack happened close to the westerly junction with Teme Road.

Another source gave a name for the wounded man to the Evening News, but police declined to confirm or deny it.

"He was seen at one of the Christmas fayres with some sort of bird on his shoulder - like a buzzard," the source said. "I believe he was married at some point.

He added that he believed it was the second time the man had been stabbed in the past month.

The victim left hospital and returned home today, but police have revealed few details about the incident.

"He is a 37-year-old local man," a police spokeswoman said.

She added that officers were continuing the investigation and no one had been charged.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Sgt John Wallis at Worcester Police Station on 01905 723888 quoting c/544274.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111.