TWO men remained in hospital on Sunday afternoon after a stabbing outside a convenience store.

The men were taken to hospital with "serious life-threatening injuries" after a stabbing outside the Londis shop on Vulcan Way in Thornaby, near Stockton, on Saturday.

Police were called to reports of a disturbance between a group of men and on arrival, they found two men – one with a head injury and the second with a serious stab wound to his back.

Both men, who are in their 20s, remain in James Cook University Hospital and both are in a stable condition.

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) were called just after 5.15pm on Saturday after they received reports that two people had suffered knife wounds.

Two ambulances were sent to transport the males to James Cook University Hospital.

The Great North Air Ambulance (GNNA) was also seen near the shop, and paramedics from GNNA supported the road team during their journey to hospital.

A side street remained cordoned off by police but the shop was open for business.

Witnesses describe seeing two males fighting, both with knives, around the time of the incident.

A nearby resident said: "I went out to see if everyone was alright, and there were ambulances and police cars everywhere.

"I asked someone what had happened and he told me someone was stabbed.

"The male and another male where fighting outside Londis shop - both had a knife."

The incident comes after police attempted to reassure the public after a man was found with 'several stab wounds' in Stockton on Saturday afternoon.

Cleveland Police were called to the Hartington Road area of Stockton at around 12.15pm, and on arrival, a man was found to have suffered what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

It is believed the man may have been wounded elsewhere - at a currently unknown location- however police said inquiries are in their very early stages.

The man has been taken to James Cook University Hospital and officers remained in the area conducting inquiries.

It is not known if the incidents are linked.

Inquiries into the incident are on-going and detectives from Stockton CID would like anyone with information to contact them at Cleveland Police to the 101 number.

Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers via their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phoning 0800 555 111.