DETECTIVES were hunting a gang today after a man was stabbed in the neck in Southampton.

The victim, believed to be in his early 20s, was rushed to Southampton General Hospital after the attack which took place at 8.15pm outside Millbrook Towers.

Police say that the man's injuries, also to the head and chest, were serious but not life-threatening.

This morning he was still undergoing emergency treatment.

Immediately following the incident a team of police officers sealed off a patch of ground opposite Millbrook Shopping Precinct. They combed the ground for clues.

A fingertip search of the area was also carried out and onlookers were quizzed about what they had seen.

Groups of residents watched from neighbouring homes as police carried out inquiries in Windemere Avenue.

One resident who did not want to be named told the Daily Echo how she saw the man fall to the ground following the attack.

She said: "We just heard all this noise. I saw a woman and a young man and two nippers.

"One of the nippers lunged at the man and he just hit the deck and did not move. The other two ran off."

A neighbour added: "I saw him motionless on the floor. I thought he was drunk or something. I am scared to go out nowadays. I don't go anywhere unless I am in my car."

Lewis Mullins, 17, an apprentice from Seafield Road, said things had become "worse and worse" in the area.

He said: "You have your little sisters on the streets and you don't know what is going to happen to them."

Inspector Trevor Lloyd from Southampton Police appealed for witnesses to the incident.

He said: "A local man has been involved in a dispute and has ended up with a serious stab wound to the neck. I can confirm that there was a fight and it appears that immediately after that he got stabbed.

"We have a ball park figure of four youths involved but we are not sure of the exact number. We are actively looking for youths in connection with the incident."

Anyone with any information should call Shirley CID on 0845 045 4545 or the Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.