A knifeman stabbed 10 people - including two police community support officers - as he ran amok in Bristol.

Eight people were injured in the frenzied and indiscriminate attacks on the Bristol to Bath cycle path in Easton before two police community support officers tackled the knifeman and were themselves stabbed.

Despite their injuries the PCSOs continued to wrestle with the man, who had a penknife, until police officers arrived.

One PCSO, who was stabbed in the back, remained in hospital last night. His colleague suffered cuts to his hands and was treated at Bristol Royal Infirmary before being allowed home.

The eight others who were hurt, all men, had stab wounds to the upper body. One man was stabbed in his side, another in the hip area, and the others suffered wounds to their arms and shoulders.

None of the injuries was said to be life-threatening, though some victims remained in hospital.

A 54-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Police were alerted at about 4.50pm yesterday. A man was reported to be on the Bristol to Bath cycle path near Russell Town Avenue, stabbing anyone he came across.

The two PCSOs were on patrol in the area when they saw the suspect and immediately tried to get the knife away from him before he stabbed anyone else.

A large area was sealed off by police last night, including around the Iceland store in Lawnwood Road.

Superintendent Julian Moss, who is leading the inquiry, praised the actions of the two PCSOs.

He said: "These officers put themselves in danger and took very swift and effective action in what was a very dangerous situation.

"They were on patrol when they were alerted by members of the public.

"They confronted the armed suspect and in doing so one received a hand wound and the other an injury to his side.

"Eight members of the public were injured. The weapon involved was a penknife, so fortunately their injuries were not life-threatening.

"These were indiscriminate attacks with no apparent motivation.

"Clearly this is a serious incident and part of our investigation will involve looking at the state of mind of the offender."

Some of the victims were stabbed on the cycle path near Russell Town Avenue, others in Easton Road.

A 15-year-old boy said he saw the knifeman "run after a man and stab him".

He added: "Two PCSOs were stabbed. One of them had cuts on his fingers."

Another witness, who did not wish to be named, said he believed the knifeman was known locally to have mental health problems.

A large crowd gathered in Easton Road after the incident.

There were angry comments after two young women were arrested when they walked through a police cordon to try to reach their homes.

Bystanders said the police over-reacted and forced one of the women to the ground and handcuffed her before putting her in a van, where she could be heard screaming.

Mr Moss said that a large area had to be sealed off for a time because of the seriousness of the incident which meant having to keep residents away from their homes.

He said: "I understand this caused a great deal of anxiety and upset and I want to thank the local community for the understanding and co-operation they showed.

"Two people were arrested for public order offences. They were unhappy about the fact that they were not allowed through."

Extra police patrols were being carried out in the Easton area today with the aim of reassuring local residents.

Police are appealing for witnesses to yesterday's incident to contact them at Trinity Road police station on 0845 456 7000 or by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.