A SOCCER fan was taken to hospital with an air gun pellet lodged deep in his chest after being shot in Burnley town centre following England's World Cup defeat.

Police have told the family of the 19-year-old student that he was lucky not to be killed after being shot at close range in an incident near to the viaduct in Yorkshire Street, at around midnight last night.

He was taken to Burnley General Hospital but an X-ray showed that the pellet had moved into a potentially serious position and he was transfered to Blackpool Victoria Hospital at 2am.

He was today being examined by consultants who had to decide whether or not to operate to remove the pellet.

His condition today was described as comfortable.

The victim was said to have been involved in some "banter" with a group of four or five Asian youths who drove off in a silver Honda saloon.

Police have appealed for information about the car and the people in it.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Burnley CID on 01282 425001.

The victim, who lives in the Padiham area with his girlfriend, was in Burnley watching England's World Cup defeat by Romania on television.

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