A MAN was rushed to hospital after being bitten by a dog during a confrontation in Daubhill.

The victim was one of a group which went to an house in Shurmer Street to speak to the occupants at about noon on Tuesday.

But a fight developed, following a row, which the police believe was a dispute over drugs, and ended in one man being injured.

He was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital with "significant" injuries.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of assault.

Neighbours reported seeing police vehicles on the road throughout Tuesday, as the scene was combed for evidence and forensically examined.

Police are unsure whether the dog was set on the man, or whether it became over-excited because of the argument.

Officers found hammers at the scene and are not believed to have located the dog yet.

It is not currently known what breed of dog was involved.

Police are trying to ascertain who owned the weapons and whether they were taken to the scene by the victim, or whether the suspects were armed to start with.

Detectives are now appealing to witnesses, and trawling CCTV footage.

A police spokesman said: "This is now an ongoing investigation and we are appealing for witnesses.

"We have three men in custody but our enquiries continue to establish the circumstances which led to the incident."

Anyone with information should call police on 101, or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.