DETAILS have now emerged of last night's dramatic incident in Tilbury when a man was stabbed, reportedly with a machette, as three men armed with weapons engaged in a fight outside a church.

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dash cam footage of the incident which happened outside the the Our Lady Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church on the junction of Malta Road and Dock Road on Friday, 13 August.

A witness told Thurrock Nub News that he man who was injured was attacked with a machette.

A statement from police says: "We were called at around 5:04 pm to a disturbance in Malta Road. Three men, all armed with weapons, were concerned in a fight.

"A man, 20s - was taken to hospital by air ambulance after he sustained life threatening injuries.

"Two men - aged 26 and 18 - have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. They are also receiving treatment for injuries sustained."

Inspector Rowan Perrior said: "This would have been a frightening incident for anyone to witness but we were quickly on scene and have made two arrests – those men are now in police custody.

"We are not looking for anyone else at this stage and there is no wider threat to the community.

"Officers will be in the vicinity a while longer to complete any enquiries we may have.

"As there were a lot of people in the Malta Road and Tilbury train station area at the time, I would ask anyone that has not already spoken to us, but who may have information that can help us, to call 101 and quote incident 903 of 13 August."

"You can also report information via our digital 101 service on our website. Or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.