AN ATTEMPTED murder investigation has been launched after two women were taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The victims, aged in their 20s and 40s respectively, had reportedly been assaulted by a man with a knife at an address in Burton.

Police were called to reports of a disturbance at a property in Lineside shortly before midnight on Tuesday.

It was reported that the man who allegedly committed the assaults had left the premises.

The woman were rushed to hospital for treatment to the injuries, which are not believed to be life-threatening.

Officers conducted a search of the area, with support from the NPAS helicopter.

Dorset Police said a 22-year-old local man had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is assisting officers with their enquiries.

A spokesman for the force said: "Dorset Police received a report at 11.48pm on Tuesday, April 21, of a disturbance at an address in Lineside in Burton.

"Officers attended and it was reported that two women, one aged in her 20s and another aged in her 40s, had been assaulted by a man with a knife.

"The women were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries that were believed to be serious but not life-threatening."

Residents reported hearing the NPAS helicopter overhead at around midnight in the Burton and Somerford areas of Christchurch.

"The arrested man and the two injured women were all reported to be known to each other," the police spokesperson added.

"A cordon is currently in place at the address to allow officers to carry out their investigation."