DETECTIVES today revealed they are hunting two masked men after a man was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound.

The victim, who has not been named by police, was taken to Burnley General Hospital on Thursday night after the shooting in a flat above a computer shop in Padiham Road, Burnley.

Police said the 44-year-old man arrived at the accident and emergency department with serious wounds to his stomach and had to be carried into the hospital by friends.

The exact extent of his injuries have not yet been released.

Officers have confirmed that some sort of gun was used in the attack, although exactly what sort of weapon is not known.

Detectives have now spoken to the victim, who is described as "comfortable".

Officers from Burnley CID, who have launched a major investigation, said an operation on his stomach was carried out on Friday.

The man had tipped them off about the masked men. DS Steve Mounsey said: "We are treating this incident extremely seriously, as we would any incident involvng a firearm. We have a dedicated team of officers working on the case."

Detectives from neighbouring CID offices, including Rossendale, have been drafted in to the investigation.

Anyone with information should call Burnley CID on 01282 472142 or Crimestoppers, free and in confidence on 0800 555 111.