A MAN and a woman have been arrested after a man in his early 40s died last night in a knife attack in Oxford.

Police and paramedics were called following the incident near the Corner House pub in Hollow Way, Cowley, at 10.40pm.

The victim is thought to have been slashed across the throat.

He was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, where he later died.

Detectives have sealed off the area in Hollow Way to conduct a forensic search and an investigation is continuing.

Victoria Bartlett, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police, said: "Officers were alerted to the incident by the ambulance service at about 10.40pm last night.

"A man in his early 40s suffered a stab wound and later died in the John Radcliffe Hospital.

"Two people - a man and a woman - have since been arrested. The man has been arrested on suspicion of murder."

Lawrence Walton, 57, who lives off Hollow Way, said: "When I got up this morning I saw police cars parked outside the Corner House pub and at first I thought it was a traffic exercise, but when I saw the police tape I knew it was something more serious.

"The whole place is taped off - it's a complete no-go zone and you can't even get in the car park."

Local councillor Bob Timbs said: "This has come completely out of the blue.

"It's been very quiet around here lately and the Police Community Support Officers and Cowley police team have been doing a brilliant job."