A BRAVE grandma told today how she fought to save the life of a mum who suffered multiple stab wounds in an attack.

And Ann-Marie Fallows revealed how the victim's five-year-old son hid in a cupboard during the attack on Paula Johnson. Anne-Marie saw Paula, 33, covered in blood, run screaming into Joe Connolly Way, Waterfoot, early yesterday morning.

"She looked like something from a horror movie," said Ann-Marie, 47. "I brought her into my house and tried to calm her down and stop the bleeding from a wound to her head.

"I tried to look at the extent of her injuries because she was losing a lot of blood.

"I have never seen so much fear in someone's face in my life. The police said I saved her life."

Ann-Marie went back into the house to find Paula's five-year-old son Michael.

She said they had both been sleeping in the same bed when the attack happened and Michael had hidden in a cupboard until it was over. He is now being looked after by his father.

Ann-Marie said when she got Michael to her house she talked to him like she would her own grandchildren to try to calm him down and take his mind off what had happened. Paula was treated at Bury General Hospital and transferred to Manchester, where she was to undergo surgery today.

Soon after the horror attack, another 20-year-old woman from Church Street, Stacksteads, was pounced on as she walked home through The Glen by a youth who appeared out of bushes and started talking to her.

He dragged her into the bushes and punched her in the face. A violent struggle was stopped by police patrolling the area looking for the first attacker. The woman received minor facial injuries and cuts.

Detective Inspector Jim Oldcorn said: "The woman who was stabbed is lucky to be alive."

A 16-year-old youth was today being questioned about both attacks.

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