TWO men were airlifted to hospital after a stabbing in Wigton.

Police say inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances of the incident, which happened shortly before 2pm today.

Officers have arrested a 49-year-old man in connection with the matter.

A woman was injured on Church Street, while two men were also injured on King Street.

Ambulance crews, including the Great North Air Ambulance, and the North West Air Ambulance were all called to the scene.

A cordon was in place from King Street to Market Hill, although this was lifted by about 6.15pm.

A spokesman from Cumbria Police said two bladed articles were located in the area of the assaults and have been seized as part of the investigation.

He said: "Officers are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident.

"One of the men injured has been taken to Preston Royal Hospital with injuries not believed to be life threatening.

"The other man has been taken to Blackpool Victoria hospital.

"The woman has been treated locally by the North West Ambulance Service."

An appeal has launched for anyone with information to come forward.

The spokesman added: "If anybody has witnessed any of these incidents they are encouraged that if they have not already provided their details to a police officer to call 101, quoting incident number 94, of July 31, 2019.

"We are working quickly to establish the circumstances of what has occurred and who is involved."

Moments after the stabbings, residents were told to stay indoors by police.

Local people have spoken out of their shock about the incident.

One resident told the News & Star: "We had a message and were told to lock our doors and stay inside, it's really scary."

Another, who did not wish to be named, said: "It's mental, you don't expect something in a small town like this.

"It's getting worse, we're turning in to the south [of England].

"We'll be like America soon."

One local said the incident happened outside a cafe.