A teenager was left with serious injuries after being chased and stabbed following a stand-off between two groups of youths.

Police are investigating the serious assault which took place in Baker Street, near to the Kearsley Mount Precinct in Manchester Road.

Kearsley Academy staff sent a text to parents to alert them following the attack and urged them to help their children stay safe.

Sergeant Kevin Lister, from Bolton police, said the victim was stabbed and also assaulted with a blunt object in the incident and was seriously injured.

He is believed to have suffered three puncture wounds in the stabbing.

Police are now working with partners in the Kearsley area to try to tackle the problems related to the incident.

Sgt Lister said: "There was an altercation between two groups of people.

"The offenders chased the victim, caught him and assaulted him using various weapons.

"The serious assault happened in the Baker Street area near the precinct.

"The victim was stabbed and was assaulted with a blunt object. He suffered three puncture wounds."

The stabbing occurred between 9.20pm and 9.40pm on Thursday, March 9.

Sgt Lister added that while the injuries were serious, the victim is not in a life-threatening condition.

Police have now met with partners including the fire service, Bolton Council and Bolton at Home to discuss a long-term plan to deal with 'problematic groups of young people' in Kearsley.

Sgt Lister said that the investigation is 'very much alive' and detectives are conducting a number of enquiries.

The text sent out by the academy said : "The police have informed us there was an incident, last night, in the local area where a large number of youths, using weapons, had engaged in anti-social and criminal behaviour.

"We urge all parents to help their children exercise due caution in staying safe, after school, this weekend. For any more information please follow @GMPBoltonSouth."

Sgt Lister said that looking at a short-term solution, extra patrols have been carried out by police in the area to try and reassure people.

Concerned residents contacted The Bolton News following the incident.

One said that they had seen a group running up Manchester Road towards the shopping precinct.

A parent of a student at the academy said that his son and his friends play in that area and that the reports were a real concern.

A 17-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault and bailed pending further inquiries in connection with the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.