Police hunting for a 45-year-old man in connection with a Penryn stabbing have upgraded the investigation to an attempted murder enquiry.

Officers have been anxious to trace Michael Turvey ever since a 57-year-old man was stabbed in Praze Meadow just before 1am on Tuesday. The victim received multiple stab wounds and was rushed to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, where he is still said to be in a "serious" condition.

A police spokesmen said today that although the incident was initially described as a "serious assault" the circumstances of the case have led to it being investigated as an attempted murder enquiry.

He added that while officers were keeping "an open mind," they were now looking at the possibility that Mr Turvey had left Cornwall and was elsewhere in the country.

PC Baxter Provan said: "We have been liasing with colleagues in a number of other constabularies. His details are on the police national computer and if he comes to notice anywhere in the UK he will get arrested."

It is possible that he may have travelled to the south east of England - particularly the Kent or Essex areas - where he has connections.

Despite this, members of the public are still being urged to keep an eye out for Mr Turvey, who is described as a white male, 5ft 7in tall, with short dark brown hair, of medium build, clean-shaven and with hazel eyes.

It is stressed that anyone who think they might have seen Mr Turvey should not approach him, but call 999 immediately.

Mr Turvey was originally being connected with a black VW Passat car, registration number SK02OSP, but this was found at Churchtown near Redruth on Tuesday afternoon.