A woman was stabbed in the stomach during a violent row with her boyfriend.

The 28-year-old victim suffered a single stab wound to the abdomen during the incident in the early hours of yesterday.

Paramedics were alerted just after 2am and found the woman in the car park of the Newby Square pub in Bowling Old Lane, West Bowling, Bradford.

She was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary where she is detained for treatment, but her injuries are not life threatening.

Detectives from Bradford South launched an investigation into the stabbing and are hunting a man in connection with the incident.

The pub was yesterday cordoned off and a Police Community Support Officer guarded the scene while a detailed forensic examination was carried out.

Police erected a tent in the car park and a Scenes of Crime officer, wearing protective gloves and overalls, placed a number of items, including planks of wood, in special bags to be taken away and examined. A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We were called by the ambulance service at 2.15am to a report of an injured woman at the Newby Square.

"A 28-year-old local woman has been taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary with serious injuries, including what is believed to be a stab wound to the abdomen. She is in a stable condition.

"The area was cordoned off while inquiries, including forensics, were ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to the incident."

Detectives at the scene said the woman's injuries were not as serious as first thought and her life was not in danger.

Police are seeking the weapon used, believed to be a knife.

They are also hunting a particular suspect in connection with the attack.

One officer said: "The person responsible was known to the woman. The incident is domestic-related."

Neighbours said they had heard arguing in the early hours.

One said: "We have heard there was an argument which developed into a fight and someone from the pub intervened to try and help." Businessman Zafar Iqbal, 33, said he came home from work to find the pub had been cordoned off.

He said: "My wife was here but she didn't hear anything. There have been drinking parties outside the pub which sometimes go on into the early hours.

"They can attract some mischievous people who have thrown stones. I am shocked and saddened by what has happened.

"It makes you worry about what could happen to you."

Paul Brown, landlord of the Newby Square, said the woman was a regular customer at the pub and had been in with her family that evening.

He said: "She is a nice lady. She comes in and enjoys herself and everything is okay.

"The pub was closed at the time this happened.

"I believe a neighbour went to help her.

"It is shocking when something like this happens.

"It's not the sort of thing you want when you are trying to run a business."

e-mail: steve.wright @bradford.newsquest.co.uk