LYE High Street was closed to traffic after a man was attacked with a machete on Friday (June 23).

Paramedics were called at 9.38am and treated the man, a shopkeeper, for a serious head injury.

The 36-year-old was taken to hospital but his condition is not believed to be life-threatening.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "It's understood this was a targeted attack as the result of an on-going dispute and was not a random attack - there is not deemed to be any risk to the wider public."

One trader in the High Street told the News: "The police vans were everywhere - all hell seemed to have broken loose."

Another said she saw five men dressed in black, brandishing baseball bats and a machete, get out of a black cab with no number plates - and shortly afterwards a man emerged from a fruit and vegetable shop covered in blood.

The High Street has been closed to traffic from Chapel Street to Lye Cross while forensic experts search the scene - and bus services (number 9 and 276) have been diverted onto Cemetery Road and Pedmore Road.

Police say it is hoped the road will re-open shortly.

Enquiries are underway to trace the offenders.

Anyone with information is urged to call West Midlands Police on the 101 number quoting log 625 23/6.