PART of a car park was cordoned off as a crime scene in Blandford on Sunday.

Rumours circulated that there had been a stabbing but a police spokesman said it appeared to be related to an alleged sexual assault, said to have occurred elsewhere in the town.

Town councillor and magistrate Mike Owen said he walked through Greyhound Yard at 7am on Sunday to find the mother and toddler's parking area taped off.

He said: "The policeman on duty there would not tell me what had happened, but I was told later by a member of Morrisons' staff that there had been a stabbing."

It is understood police asked for CCTV footage from the store which has cameras covering the car park and the docking area at the rear of the building.

Others people in town said they had heard of a sexual assault in the area of Salisbury Street, but by the end of Tuesday Dorset Police was unable to confirm whether either attack had taken place, and whether the crime scene at Morrisons was related.

But officers were able to confirm an alleged assault which took place at a pub in the town on Sunday evening.

Police are investigating the incident, which took place at the Railway Hotel in Oakfield Street, Blandford.

Two women were arrested on suspicion of affray after reports of a fight at 1.49am and a request for an ambulance.

The two women, aged 45 and 23, both from Blandford, were later released on bail pending further inquiries.

A 23-year-old was treated for cuts at the scene.

Licensee Nigel Jones was not available for comment, but a spokesman at the pub said: "It could have been a lot worse than it was."

Witnesses are asked to call 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.