Two people are being questioned by police following the stabbing of a surgeon, who works at Wythenshawe Hospital, when he was attending a mosque in Altrincham.

Orthopaedic consultant surgeon Dr Nasser Kurdy was attacked outside the Altrincham and Hale Muslim Association just before 6pm on Sunday. Police are treating the incident as a suspected hate crime but it is not believed to be terrorism related.

Dr Kurdy was stabbed in the neck and taken to Wythenshawe Hospital but was discharged after treatment.

A 54-year-old man and a 32-year-old who were arrested are being questioned. Greater Manchester Police have asked for any witnesses to come forward.

Dr Khalid Anis, a spokesman for the mosque, told the BBC: “It could have been very, very serious.

“He [Dr Kurdy] said he noticed someone cross the road and then somebody just attacked him from behind.”

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Jackson said: “People will want to know why the attacker did this and we are treating this as a crime motivated by hate.

“It is difficult to say more than this at this time but there is nothing to suggest that this is terrorist related.”

He said there would be an increased police presence in the areas to “reassure local people”.