An investigation is underway after a 30-year-old man was shot in the leg.

Police are now appealing for information following the shooting, which took place in Skelmersdale very early on Thursday morning.

Officers were called to Carfield in the town at around 12:36am after receiving reports that a man had been shot in the leg.

Emergency services attended and the man, 30, was taken to hospital for treatment.

His injuries, believed to have been caused by a shotgun, are serious but not thought to be life-threatening.

DI Jason Richardson from Skelmersdale CID said: “We understand that incidents like this are concerning for the community and so I would like to reassure people that we have a team of officers working on finding who was responsible.

“We will remain in the area speaking to people as part of our investigation and to reassure the community.

“If you know anything about this incident, please call 101 quoting log number 0042 of July 23.”

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.