A 23-year-old man was stabbed twice in the stomach at a 200-strong 16th birthday party in a village hall near Church Stretton, police said today.

A youth has been arrested and bailed on suspicion of assault following the incident which happened in Rushbury on Friday.

The victim, who has not been named, was in a stable condition in hospital today.

Police said they were called at just before 10pm.

Detective Sergeant Dave Meyer, from West Mercia Police, said the incident occurred while there was a party going on at the village hall.

He said: “There were approximately 200 people invited to the party.

“At 9.50pm police received a call to a stabbing incident.

“An ambulance was also called to treat a 23-year-old male with two puncture wounds to his stomach.

“A youth was found hiding nearby and was arrested on suspicion of assault.”

He added there was a large number of young people at the party and he urged anyone with information to telephone Ludlow CID on 0300 333 3000 or to call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Suzie Fothergill, spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “We were called to Rushbury Village Hall in Rushbury Road at shortly before 9.50pm on Friday.

“An incident support officer and an ambulance went to the scene and conveyed a male, who had been stabbed, to the nearest hospital.”

Harry Walters, chairman of the village hall, said: “The event was a 16th birthday party, it was a private event.”

He added he did not know any more details about what happened or the condition of the man who was stabbed.