A MAN is recovering in hospital after being stabbed in the neck and stomach during a late night attack in Poole. 

The victim, a local man in his twenties, was attacked around midnight at Parkstone Heights.

He managed to stagger more than 150 feet to a house, where he banged on the door and pleaded for help before collapsing on the driveway.

Jacqui Mills said: "I was still pottering around because I had the idea about watching the Oscars last night.

"I heard this banging on the door and then the bell. At first I thought it was my son coming back quite late.

"When I opened the door he said 'I've been stabbed, I've been stabbed' and slumped to the ground.

"Luckily my phone is right near the door so I could talk to him and phone for help at the same time."

The woman was helped by her daughter, aged 17, and her next door neighbour - the Baptist church minister.

She said: "I've worked in mental health and social work so I've come across incidents before, I'm used to dealing with young people in distress.

"It was the motherly instinct that kicked in. I was pleased to be able to help, to give him a little bit of comfort, to assure him we were not far from the hospital and help would be here soon."

Police cordoned off part of Parkstone Heights, and the alleyway linking both ends of the road. 

A section of woodland at Parkstone Heights Woods was also cordoned off.

Residents said a large number of police vehicles were seen in the early hours of this morning, including six police cars, a van, ambulance and sniffer dogs.

Neighbour Stephen Burgess said: "It was just after midnight, about quarter past, and I could hear someone knocking on a door very loudly.

"I came to see what was happening. I don't know who the man was but he was in the doorway of the house across the street from ours.

"The ambulance was here quite some time until they took him away. The police have been here all night.

"This is quite a posh road yet you get these strange incidents. Two years ago we had a man come to our door who had been attacked, stabbed."

Detective Inspector Andy Roberts, of Bournemouth CID, said: "I am appealing to anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in the Parkstone Heights area at around midnight to please call me.

"I would particularly like to speak to a white man wearing a bobble hat, who we believe may have asked the victim if he was ok shortly after the incident.

"A full investigation is underway and I would like to thank the public for their assistance and co-operation. High-visibility patrols will continue in the area to offer reassurance."

No arrests have been made.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 29:1. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.