A man is fighting for his life after being shot in the face with a double-barrelled shotgun.

The 36-year-old, who has not been named, received severe facial injuries after being shot at his home in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, on Saturday evening.

He was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, where his condition in intensive care is described as "critical but stable".

The incident happened at around 0830 GMT when two men, one armed with the gun, were let into the man's flat in Town Street.

An spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset Police said: "Detectives believe that words were exchanged before the gunman discharged one barrel into the man's chin and lower area of his face."

The gunman, an accomplice and five of the injured man's associates believed to have been in the flat with him at the time left the property.

Two of the man's friends raised the alarm and an former fireman in a nearby pub gave first-aid until an ambulance arrived.

Detectives have described the weapon used as an old-style shotgun with side-by-side barrels barrels, a wooden stock and two hammers at the back.

They have appealed for witnesses to the incident and anyone who recognises the description of the gun to come forward.