Pensioner stabbed 45 times

Neighbours describe Mr Deighton as "a quiet man"

A 70-year-old man has suffered 45 stab wounds in what police say was a "vicious and ferocious attack" by a burglar.

Malcolm Deighton was alone at his home in Stanley Park, Blackpool, when he confronted an intruder in his hall, just before 2000 BST on Friday.

The struggle spilled on to the front driveway at East Park Drive, where Mr Deighton was stabbed.

The man was seen running away, still holding the weapon.

Mr Deighton, a widower, was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for emergency surgery, and is in a critical condition on a life support machine.

Detective Superintendent Paul Buschini, of Lancashire Police, said: "This was a sustained, vicious, ferocious attack.

We believe the offender would have been heavily bloodstained Det Supt Paul Buschini

"It appears that the offender was in the house and his motive was robbery.

"Mr Deighton appears to have confronted him and a struggle began inside the house and continued into the driveway."

The man was last seen at the junction of South Park Drive and East Park Drive, still carrying the weapon.

Det Supt Buschini added: "Stanley Park is a very busy area and the weather was pleasant on Friday evening.

"We are appealing for anyone who saw this man running away to get in touch.

"We believe he would have been heavily bloodstained."

The man is described as white, slim and had long brown curly hair.

A police forensic team was searching for clues on Saturday at Mr Deighton's house.

Neighbours described the pensioner as "a quiet man".

Andrew Finlayson said: "He seemed a very pleasant, quiet man.

"It is dreadful to think he was attacked like that. This is a lovely road, a desirable location."

Another neighbour Peter Haslam said: "He seems like a nice old chap.

"I believed he has lived here for more than 15 years."