NEIGHBOURS spoke of their shock after a man was blasted in the legs on a quiet residential estate in Haydock overnight.

Officers were called shortly after 12.30am to reports that shots had been fired on Harty Road, which is opposite part of Sankey Valley Park.

Following a search of the area, police say "evidence of a firearms discharge was located outside a property". 

A short time later a 26-year-old man arrived at hospital with a wound to his leg "consistent with a firearm being discharged".

A police statement read: "He is currently receiving treatment for his injury which is described as non-life threatening."

It is the second shooting in Haydock in the space of two months.

On Monday, February 26 two masked men, believed to be in their 20s, approached the victim on School Street in Haydock before one shot him in the legs.

Today's shooting happened on the road between Gleneagles Drive and Whittle Avenue.

Appealing for information about the shooting, Chief Inspector Andy Rankine said: "I would appeal to anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the areas of Harty Street and Gleneagles Drive shortly before or after the incident to contact us, as any information they have could be vital to our investigation.

"Likewise if you saw a car in the area at that time, or making off at speed, or have any home CCTV or dashcam footage, let us know. I can assure you that all information will be acted upon. 

"To use a firearm in a residential street is clearly reckless and we are determined to find those responsible and bring them to justice. 

Neighbours told the Star of their shock this morning.

A dad-of-one, who lives in the area, said: “I’ve been around here for around 10 years now and this kind of thing keeps happening lately.

“Someone got shot near the Owl's Nest in February and this isn’t a horrible area. 

“I have a daughter and I won’t let her out on her own. They know something has happened around here, it’s not worth it for their safety.

“It’s a shame that no one feels safe anymore, it’s just becoming too common now. It’s scary”

A mum-of-two said: “Growing up I’d never have thought to worry about shootings near where I lived, that kind of thing happened in Liverpool and Manchester but not here. 

“I don’t know what’s causing it, but something needs to be done about it.”

And granddad-of-one, 76, said: “It’s just horrible, it makes the hairs stand up on your arms to think a young man has been shot. It’s terrible.”

Chief Inspector Rankine said: "We need communities to stand together to get these cowardly individuals off our streets and take firearms out of circulation.

"We have acted and will continue to act on all information about such incidents, but we need you to help us build up the evidence against these offenders who are prepared to put our communities at risk so that we can make the streets safer for you and your families." 

Anyone with information can contact the social media desk @MerPolCC, call 101, or contact officers on the Matrix Serious and Organised Crime gun crime hotline on 0800 230 0600 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Information can also be provided via their online form: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online.