A BOLTON teenager is fighting for his life in a Leicester hospital following a brutal knife attack.

The 19-year-old, who has not been named, was stabbed in the chest in the early hours of Saturday during a visit to friends in the city.

He is being treated in the intensive therapy unit at Leicester Royal Infirmary, where his condition is described as stable. This morning he had regained consciousness.

Police chiefs say the victim, who has undergone surgery, is lucky to be alive following what appears to have been a motiveless attack.

Detective Chief Inspector Nick Gargan said: "We can say no motive has yet become apparent.

"A substantial police operation has been set in motion with the aim of gathering all possible evidence to identify the person who carried out the attack.

"It is a particularly busy area at that time of night.

"There are several night clubs around here and we are hoping somebody will have seen something that will help me catch whoever is responsible."

Police have launched a major inquiry into the attack, which happened close to a bus station in Abbey Street, Leicester. The area was sealed off and officers made a detailed search.

Detectives are urging any night club revellers out in the area at that time in the morning to contact them.

The victim's friends are also helping investigating officers to build up a picture of what happened.

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