THE victim of a brutal stabbing needed 30 stitches after being attacked on a Melksham housing estate.

Nick Lyons, 20, was stabbed on the left side of his chest outside Woodlands Caterers in Queensway on Monday morning.

He also suffered a slash-type injury to his back and was taken to the Royal United Hospital, Bath. His injuries are not life-threatening.

Police believe the weapon was similar to a Stanley knife.

After the attack outside his home, Phil Jackson, 48, was too frightened to go to work and leave his wife and two sons at home, fearing someone was at large with a knife.

After Mr Jackson saw the wounded man lying in the road, he rushed for first aid, but by the time he returned an ambulance had arrived.

He said: "I saw him on the floor. I went in to call an ambulance and get some cloths to cover the wounds but by the time I got off the phone he was in an ambulance."

"He was conscious and there wasn't much blood. He seemed to have a 12-inch gash to his back and about three cuts to his front."

Mr Jackson told his two sons, Kevin, 24, and Christopher, 18, about the attack and decided not to work his nightshift at Avon Tyres, Melksham, because he did not know whether somebody had been arrested.

"I was very concerned and decided to take the night off," he said.

"I knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate at work if someone was running around with a knife.

"There is not a lot of trouble round here so for something like this to happen was quite shocking."

When the police arrived, other neighbours in the area rushed out to see what was happening.

One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "I saw the police and the helicopter was flying overhead.

"I didn't know what had happened until the police came round asking questions."

Robert Sinclair, 69, of Dorset Crescent, also heard there had been a heavy police presence.

He said: "I was told there was a lot of activity near the school. I was quite shocked to hear about it because there are not a great deal of problems around here."

l Leroy John Wynter, 29, of Hampshire Place, Melksham, was arrested on Monday and has been charged with malicious wounding with intent.

He appeared before magistrates in Chippenham on Wednesday and has been remanded in custody until May 30.