A town councillor and Royal British Legion branch president has been arrested on suspicion of trying to murder his wife.

Joseph O’Riordan, 73, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after his wife, Amanda O’Riordan, was found with stab wounds.

The 47-year-old is in hospital after being found just before 10pm on Wednesday at their home in Guardian Court, Brookside Avenue, Polegate, near Eastbourne.

Yesterday, her condition was described as critical.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Ashcroft, of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: “This is being treated as a domestic incident.”

Mrs O’Riordan is understood to be the live-in manager of Guardian Court, a retirement development for the over-60s run by housing provider Anchor. Police reassured residents they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident and that there was “nothing to cause them concern”.

One nearby neighbour said he had heard the ambulance arrive at about 10pm on Wednesday night, swiftly followed by police.

Mr O’Riordan is a councillor for the Polegate North Ward on Polegate Town Council, having been re-elected in October 2013 after stepping down as the Polegate Residents’ Association representative.

He won 230 votes, beating his nearest rival, Ukip’s Charles Goodwin, by 224 votes.

He is president of the Polegate branch of the Royal British Legion. Its chairman, Spencer Kenward, said last night he felt it would be inappropriate to comment at this stage.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said yesterday: “Police are investigating an attempted murder at a flat in Guardian Court, Brookside Avenue, Polegate. The victim, a 47-year-old woman, was found with serious injuries just before 10pm on Wednesday, October 22. She had been stabbed.

“She was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, where she is being treated. Her condition is described as critical.

“A 73-year-old Polegate man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is currently in custody helping police with their enquiries.”