A man has been stabbed in an attack police are treating as attempted murder.

The victim was stabbed in the torso on Edinburgh's North Bridge in the early hours of Saturday and managed to walk the length of the bridge before help was called for him.

Police said there had been a fight between two men around 4am at the junction with the High Street.

After the 36-year-old victim was stabbed, his attacker made off towards Princes Street.

Paramedics were called and the injured man was taken to the Royal Infimary of Edinburgh where he is in a serious condition.

Detectives are now trying to trace the suspect, who is described as being black, in his forties or fifties, around 6ft 5in tall and had a large build.

He had short greying black hair and spoke with an African accent and is believed to have been wearing a shirt and jeans.

Detective inspector Grant Johnston of Gayfield CID said: "From our early inquiries it appears that the attack happened on the North Bridge, near its junction with the High Street.

"The victim has then managed to make it as far as the Balmoral Hotel before the alarm was raised with the emergency services.

"We're treating this attack as an attempted murder and are pursuing every line of inquiry.

"Today, I urge anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who recognises the description of the male suspect, to please contact police immediately."

Anyone who can help identify the suspect has been asked to call Police Scotland on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.