THE victim of a horrific stabbing attack in the New Forest has defied doctor's orders by discharging himself from hospital.

The local man aged 25 was knifed repeatedly in the stomach during a street brawl in Pennington near Lymington on Sunday morning.

Residents in Gordon Road awoke to the sounds of two men fighting and were shocked when the violent drama unfolded outside their homes at about 7.45am. A spokesman for Hampshire police said: "Against medical advice he discharged himself from hospital on Monday."

The victim was being treated at Southampton General Hospital for stab wounds to his stomach and was believed to still be in a serious condition when he discharged himself.

The spokesman added: "His injuries were no longer life-threatening and it had been decided that he probably would not need surgery but doctors wanted him to stay in for at least another day. The patient decided otherwise."

A local man aged 30 was arrested in nearby Highfield Road shortly after the attack and has been bailed until June 24 pending further inquiries. Anyone with information in connection to the incident should contact Det Sgt David Brown at Lyndhurst CID on 0845 045 4545.