A MAN was taken to hospital by air ambulance after he was stabbed in the car park of Sainsbury's in Poole town centre.

Police carried out searches of the area around the store in Pitwines Close in an attempt to locate the offender yesterday afternoon and evening.

A cordon was also set up at the scene to allow investigations to take place.

The air ambulance landed nearby at Poole Park following reports of the incident shortly after 4.30pm.

The victim was airlifted to hospital for further treatment, an ambulance service spokesman said.

A Dorset Police spokeswoman said: "Dorset Police received a report at 4.37pm on Monday, February 10, that a man had sustained a stab wound in the car park at Sainsbury's in Pitwines Close in Poole.

"Officers have attended the scene and are carrying out searches of the area to locate the offender.

"A cordon has also been put in place to allow officers to investigate the incident.

"The injured man is being treated by the ambulance services and we do not have any update on his condition at this time."

A spokesman for South Western Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 4.38pm about an incident near a supermarket on Pitwines Close, Poole.

"We sent land ambulance, air ambulance and other specialist crews to attend the incident. They treated an injured patient who was flown to hospital by air ambulance for further care."