Soldier Shot In Legs After Pub Row: Latest

Police are appealing for witnesses or information after a 27-year-old soldier was shot following a row in a Swinton pub.

Guardsman Steven Higgins was blasted in the legs near the Lord Nelson where he had been celebrating his birthday.

The shooting took place in an alleyway off Bolton Road on Saturday night.

Mr Higgins, who serves with the Irish Guards, was rushed to Hope Hospital in Salford where his condition is described as serious but stable.

Detective Chief Inspector Bill McGreavy said: "I want to reassure people in Salford that we are treating this incident very seriously. We have a team of detectives investigating and we are doing all we can to find out who is responsible.

"We would like to speak to anyone who may have been in the Bolton Road area at just after 10pm and may have witnessed this crime or seen or heard something out of the ordinary last night. Please get in touch with us as your information could be vital to our investigation. Your call will be treated in confidence."

Police said the gunman walked over to the victim and his friends and appeared to try to fire the weapon.

He then ran out of the pub where he was chased by members of the group, including the victim.

The gunman is described as a white man in his 20s and of medium or slim build.