AN ex-soldier suffered serious injuries after being stabbed in Bolton.

Police have launched an investigation after the incident, which happened on Saturday night.

The 29-year-old veteran, who served with the Duke of Lancaster Regiment, required major surgery after the incident in Great Lever.

It is understood the victim is homeless and just days earlier the same man was mugged and beaten up, with all of his documents including his passport stolen.

Bolton Armed Forces Centre for Veterans CIO are supporting the man along with the police, which has a scheme in place to support ex-forces men and women.

The stabbing happened in the Paulhan Street and Hinkler Avenue area.

Both streets were cordoned off and there was a high police presence in the area with a number of emergency vehicles and detectives seen.

Chief Inspector Steph Parker of Greater Manchester Police’s Bolton district said: “The attack happened on Saturday at 11.30pm and we are reviewing CCTV footage and are appealing for witnesses or for anyone with information.”

She said the police were waiting to speak to the victim to find out more about both incidents, including what he was attacked with.

No arrests have been made as yet.

“He will also being helped through the support the police provide for veterans and support including accommodation will be in place before he is discharged from hospital,” said Chief Insp Parker.

Bolton Armed Forces Centre CIO area appealing for anyone who knows the man to get in touch to help him receive the support he needs.

Cait Smith, who is based at the centre, said: “He rang us from hospital to say he had been stabbed.

“He called 10 minutes before he went into theatre, he sounded petrified.

“His liver had been damaged in the attack and the doctor said he could have bled to death.”

She added: “We only met him a week ago, he came in and we gave him food from the food bank we have here.

“He tried to report the mugging from here. It wasn’t just a mugging he had been attacked, his knee was twice the size it should have been.”

The centre provided him with a food parcel and put him up in a hotel and only found out he had been stabbed when he rang them from the hospital earlier this week.

Now the team at the centre are trying to ensure he is safe and looked after when he is discharged.

“We have only just met him and really don’t know anything about him,” said Cait, “People who know him, those he served with, will have heard about what has happened because it is a close knit community and we want them to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Friends of the veteran can contact Bolton Armed Forces Centre on 01204 776628.