A suspect is still on the loose after the incident that caused armed police to be deployed on Christmas Day, it has been confirmed.

Police put an area of Plungington on lockdown at around 11am on December 25. This included a section of Blackpool Road and a number of side roads.

It has now been confirmed that a 37-year-old man was stabbed on Eldon Street that morning. He was taken to hospital and his injuries are not considered life-threatening.

Police were unable to find the suspect at the time and are continuing to search for him.

The roads in the area were reopened around 3pm on the same day.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “We were called at shortly before 9am on December 25th to reports that a 37-year-old man had been stabbed on Eldon Street, Preston.

“He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Preston Hospital in a serious but not life threatening condition.

“Officers, including armed officers, subsequently carried out a search of a property on Blackpool Road as part of enquiries to trace a suspect but they were not located.

“Enquiries to trace him are on-going.”