A tourist had to be hospitalised after he was stabbed in the stomach with a dirty syringe on Edinburgh's iconic North Bridge by a beggar who asked for change.

When the 36-year-old man responded that he did not have any cash, he was stabbed with a used needle.

After the attack the injured holidaymaker went into The Scotsman, a five-star hotel, and asked staff to call a taxi so he could go to hospital.

A 36-year-old man was walking on Edinburgh's North Bridge when he was stabbed with a needle by a beggar

The visitor, who had stayed at the hotel last week but was no longer a guest when he was stabbed, is believed to have undergone tests for HIV and hepatitis in hospital.

Police arrested a 38-year-old man, who made his first appearance in court on Monday.

An unnamed source told the Edinburgh Evening News the victim had appeared remarkably calm, but it is understood he was bleeding extensively after Saturday's incident.

The source said the man pleaded for help from hotel staff, and 'had a big hole in his belly'.

The victim then ran into the five-star The Scotsman Hotel for help, where he had been staying days earlier

A police spokeswoman confirmed the victim attended the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.

Local councillor Joanna Mowat said she was relieved that someone had been arrested.

But she also expressed concerns about aggressive beggars in Edinburgh.

She said: 'We pride ourselves on being a safe city but an unprovoked attack is always going to be worrying.