SHOPPERS watched in horror as two men were stabbed in a bloody attack in the middle of a busy town.

Paramedics rushed the two men, both in their 20s, to Southampton General Hospital after the attacks that happened in High Street, Eastleigh.

Police officers cordoned off the scene for more than four hours while they carried out an investigation of the area. Forensic experts also carried out a fingertip search as they looked for clues to piece together exactly what happened.

Violent shouting Eyewitnesses described how they heard violent shouting before police and ambulances arrived at 11.45am yesterday and treated the two men.

It is believed that the incident started in the alleyway between Market Street and David Evans estate agents in High Street.

Witnesses saw one man who had blood pouring from his left arm, wielding a knife, arguing with another man who was holding a brick.

They then came out on to High Street, where the second man was seen with blood pouring down his back.

It is believed that the fight may have continued in the yard behind the KFC restaurant and the church in Leigh Road.

One of the men stabbed was 23-year-old David Pratt, who lives in Eastleigh. His father, Tony, went down to the scene and saw what he believes to be his son's blood on the wall.

He said: "David's got a hole in his head and a hole in his back but he's fine. He wants to discharge himself but they won't let him do it.

"One of his friends gave me a ring to let me know what happened."

Kyle Bennett, 19, who works at Burton, in Market Street, heard the shouting from the stock room and called the ambulance.

He said: "I heard someone shouting what are you doing with that brick?' so I went outside to check on the cars. When I got there I saw a guy who had blood pouring from his left arm and was screaming for an ambulance.

"He was very panicked, very distressed and in total shock, I just went into autopilot and called the ambulance, and the police were there within minutes.

"You just don't expect this type of thing to happen where you work. It wasn't until a few minutes after that I realised what had actually happened and I started shaking."

One of the men's injuries were initially thought to be life-threatening but turned out to be less serious.

Campaign The latest knife attacks come after the Daily Echo launched its campaign to get knives off Hampshire's streets.

Civic leaders, MPs and the families of stab victims across Southampton and Hampshire have all backed our campaign since it was launched earlier this month.

Investigating officer Insp Kevin Leckey said: "At 11.45 this morning police were called to Eastleigh town centre following a serious incident.

"This involved an altercation between two males, one of whom received serious but not life-threatening injuries."