A 43-YEAR-old man found bleeding from stab wound in a Southend phonebox has admitted to police the injuries were self-inflicted.

Initially, the man - who has not been named by police - told officers he was attacked by three men, but after interviews at his hospital bedside he withdrew his allegations.

The unusual drama began at 1.30pm on Friday in the quiet residential area of Wick Chase when the man was discovered slumped in a telephone box by two young boys.

The boys, who had been riding past on scooters, saw he was bleeding from the stomach and quickly alerted neighbours who called the emergency services.

* see Monday's Echo for full story