NEIGHBOURS of a couple who were attacked outside their own home have spoken of their shock at the brutal crime on their doorstep.

A man and woman were attacked with a knife in Bloomsbury Close, in Freshbrook, on Saturday.

Both victims received several stab wounds and were taken to the Great Western Hospital.

The man was well enough to return home on Wednesday. His partner only came back on Thursday afternoon.

One Bloomsbury Close resident who witnessed the attack said: "I couldn't believe how much blood there was.

"I was very scared at the time. And it is still a frightening thing."

Nicola Love said: "I'm really shocked that something like that can happen round here."

Olive Ray said: "The first I knew about it was when I couldn't get back from shopping, because the road was all blocked off.

"It is nice and quiet up this end. I can't believe it."

Mark Rothwell said he had only recently moved into what he thought was a safe quiet street with his wife and three children.

"We haven't been here very long, so didn't really know them, just to say hello to.

"You don't expect something like this to happen. It's a complete shock.

"The police were here and there was a rumour going round there had been a stabbing.

"The children were out in the street playing.

"I asked the police what was going on but they couldn't tell us anything.

"I was really worried. I didn't know if the kids were hurt, or if they had seen it or if the person who did it was still out there and they could be at risk."

Acting Det Insp Don Sterton, from Swindon CID said: "The female victim received a number of knife injuries and one caused a punctured lung. She was in intensive care until yesterday when she was transferred to a normal ward."

The couple's next-door neighbour Lee Willis, of Bloomsbury Close, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder.

Willis appeared at Swindon Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

He was remanded in custody until November 20, when he is due to appear at Bristol Crown Court.