Liz Hurley's nephew lost four pints of blood in a brutal street stabbing as he was attacked by violent thugs, she has revealed.

The actress and model today said Miles Hurley, 21, was set on by four men she described as 'animals'.

Pleading for help in tracking down Miles' attackers, she wrote on Instagram: 'He was repeatedly stabbed and lost more than four pints of blood.

'A policeman was patrolling close by and administered first aid until the ambulance arrived.

'The deepest wound just missed severing his spine. By some miracle no vital organs were damaged.

The actress and model today said Miles Hurley, 21, was set on by four men she described as 'animals'

Miles, a model, was said to be fighting for his life after the attack on a street in Nine Elms, South West London at around 8pm on Thursday. He is pictured with his aunt

'We are praying that these animals are caught before they maim, or even kill, someone else. These are sad days.'

The actress said earlier it was an 'appalling' time for their family and thanked fans for their support.

She was photographed returning to London shortly after the attack on Miles Hurley, who is a model.

She wrote on Twitter: 'My 21 year old nephew was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack in London on Thursday night.

'The police & hospital are being fantastic. Thank you for all your messages. It is an appalling time for him & our family. The police will be appealing for witnesses.'

Miles' mother is Liz's older sister, Kate Curran, 54, and the aunt is especially close to him.

Liz was pictured earlier today arriving at Heathrow around 9am on Friday, before visiting Miles

Today, Liz appealed for help in catching the thug who stabbed her nephew

She rushed back to the UK from the US after the stabbing.

Miles, a model, was said to be fighting for his life after the attack on a street in Nine Elms, South West London at around 8pm on Thursday.

It is understood he was stabbed several times.

A source told The Sun: 'His family feared the worst. Fortunately, it seems the knife missed his vital organs.'

On Saturday morning, Liz confirmed the victim was her nephew and appealed for help in catching the attacker.

She wrote on Twitter: 'My 21 year old nephew was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack in London on Thursday night.

'The police & hospital are being fantastic. Thank you for all your messages. It is an appalling time for him & our family. The police will be appealing for witnesses.'

Miles' mother is Liz's older sister, Kate Curran, 54, and the aunt is especially close to him.

The 21-year-old model has done photo shoots for fashion king Roberton Carvalli and Dolce & Gabbana.

Miles' mother is Liz's older sister, Kate Curran, 54, and the aunt is especially close to him

Ascalon Street in south west London where the nephew of Liz Hurley was stabbed on Thursday night

Liz was pictured earlier today arriving at Heathrow around 9am on Friday, before visiting Miles.

She had been on tour in the US promoting her show The Royals.

In 2013 she proudly tweeted one of Miles' early modelling shots, saying: 'Here's my handsome nephew'.

Miles said: I'm really close to my aunt and she's very supportive of everything I do.'

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'Police were called at 20.52 on Thursday, 8 March to Ascalon Street, SW8 following reports of a stabbing.

'Officers attended with the London Ambulance Service (LAS). A 21-year-old man was discovered with stab wounds to his back.

'Another man, also believed to be aged 21, was also found suffering from stab wounds.

'They were both taken by LAS to a south London hospital where their conditions are described as not life-threatening or life-changing.

'They are believed to have been attacked by a group of males who got out of a vehicle and assaulted them before fleeing the scene.

'A crime scene was put in place. Road closures were also in place but have since been lifted.

'There have been no arrests.'

MailOnline has contacted a representative of Liz's for comment.