A TEENAGER has been left with "life-changing" injuries after being stabbed outside a restaurant.

Police said they were called to a disturbance involving a dispute between a group of youths at eastZeast in Bury New Road, Whitefield, last night.

A 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital with serious injuries. He remains in hospital but is in a stable condition.

A 17-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and remains in police custody for questioning.

Chris Clayton, head chef at Ivano's Italian restaurant which is located next door to eastZeast, said: "Two teenagers ran into our restaurant some time after 9pm. They were scared. They had been at someone's 14th or 15th birthday party at eastZeast. They were saying that their friend had been stabbed.

"We phoned the police. There was a lot of screaming and shouting outside.

"The young lad who had been stabbed was on the floor lying against the wall in the alley between the two restaurants.

"He was bleeding. One of our chefs fetched him a couple of towels and offered help.

"It wasn't long before the ambulance and police arrived."

A police cordon was installed across the alley where the 16-year-old had been sat.

Ambulances, police vehicles and the Tactical Aid Unit were called to the scene.

Police were searching the grass verges as part of their investigation. Residents reported that they were working at the site until the early hours of the morning.

Officers have made an urgent appeal for anyone with information to come forward.

Det Insp Andrew Naismith, of Greater Manchester Police’s Bury district, said: "A teenager is now in hospital with injuries that are thought to be life changing as a result of this incident and our thoughts are very much with him and his family at this awful time.

"Detectives are working around the clock to establish what happened and a teenager will be questioned by our team in custody today as part of our enquiries.

"We are currently speaking to a number of witnesses and reviewing lots of CCTV footage but I would urge anyone with any information to get in touch as a matter of urgency."

Police were called to eastZeast shortly before 9.55pm yesterday.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 8181 or 101 quoting incident number 2442 of March 30, 2019.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.