Two stab victims fled their home in a central Brighton street and tried to rouse their neighbours in a desperate bid for help.

The two friends, aged 20 and 21, were attacked after a domestic dispute in their house at about 3am yesterday morning.

The women fled and knocked on the doors of homes in Dean Street, Brighton crying out for help.

One eye witness said one of the girls seemed to be doubled over in pain while her friend appeared to be calling for help on her mobile phone.

The pair ran to nearby Western Road where they flagged down a police car just after 3.15am.

They were treated for stab wounds at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, which Sussex Police described as “not life-threatening”.

A 19-year-old local man, who was known to the 21-year-old victim, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and was last night being questioned by police.

Dean Street resident Alan Greene, 70, said: “The door bell rang in the middle of the night.

“I went to the window and I saw two girls walking down the street and they were knocking on each door as they went down.

“I thought they were drunk but one of them was bent double and I thought that was a bit weird and the other one was on her mobile.

“They then disappeared around by McDonalds.”

Eighty-nine-year-old next door neighbour Joan Wiggington, who has lived in the street for 30 years, said: “I certainly heard it, it was very disturbing.

“I heard thumps and bumps which woke me up and I wondered at first if someone was moving out.

“I couldn’t quite place the noises and when I looked out my window I could see the police and they were here a very long time.

“I am very sorry, shocked and concerned for the girl, I know her to speak to but I don’t know her, it is a terrible thing to have happened.”

Fellow Dean Street resident Jake Farrow, 19, said: “My housemate did hear a bit of screaming at about 3am.

“A couple of girls ran out and were banging on the doors for help and then the emergency services came.

“She thought they were drunk, coming down the road and just screaming about stuff but then the screaming got so horrible that she knew something was wrong.

“It’s a terrible thing to have happened, it has put us all a bit on edge.”

Detective Inspector Mick Jones said: “The women were distressed and shocked.

“We are doing all we can to support them while they receive treatment for their injuries.

“Forensic examinations are taking place and a man, who is known to one of the women, is in custody.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101.