A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a couple were taken to hospital with serious head injuries. 

Wiltshire Police said officers had been called to reports of a domestic incident at a house in Shalbourne, near Great Bedwyn, on Monday evening. 

A woman, 60s, was taken to Southampton Hospital with serious head injuries. She remains in a critical but stable condition. 

Paramedics took a man, 70s, to Great Western Hospital. He is in a serious but stable condition.

The suspect, a Hampshire man in his 40s, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of two counts of attempted murder. Detectives are questioning the man at Gablecross police station. 

Det Insp Mark Kent said: “We can confirm that the man currently in custody is known to the two victims and this is being treated as a domestic incident. 

“We understand this news will undoubtedly cause concern at a time when there are high levels of anxiety within our communities. Please be reassured that there is no wider risk to the public and we are conducting extensive enquiries today in relation to this incident.

“People living in the local area are likely to see a heightened police presence today as we progress with our enquiries.”

Police said officers and paramedics were called at around 7.30pm to the house in Shalbourne.