A TEENAGE girl was taken to hospital with serious injuries following reports she had been stabbed with a knife in Cumbria.

Police are appealing for information following an incident in Barepot, near Workington, last night.

Officers were called to the walkway next to the river at 9.25pm following reports that a 15-year-old had been stabbed and a 14-year-old girl had been attacked.

The 15-year-old victim, who is from the Workington area, was taken to the Cumberland Infirmary with serious injuries and then transferred to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. She is said to be in a stable condition.

The other girl, also from the Workington area, was uninjured.

A 39-year-old man, who is not from Cumbria, has been arrested on suspicion of assault with intent to cause serious harm, and another count of assault. He remains in custody.

The suspect is not believed to have been known to the teenagers.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Cooper said: "This was an unprovoked attack on two teenage girls and understandably a terrifying ordeal for them both.

"We are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness and would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area to contact us. Any detail, however small, could assist our investigation.

"I would like to reassure the public that incidents of this nature are extremely rare in Cumbria."

Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time or who has any information which may assist the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.