Girl shot in face with pellet gun

A 14-year-old girl is recovering in hospital after she was shot in the face with a BB gun by a gang in Bolton, Greater Manchester Police said.

She had been walking home with friends in Gorton Street at about 2100 GMT on Friday when three men, believed to be aged about 18 or 19, surrounded them.

They tried to grab the victim's bag and as she fought back she was shot twice and hit with a metal pole.

The teenager has had surgery to remove a pellet from her chin.

Det Insp Simon Davies, of Bolton CID, said: "This is a truly horrific incident, where a young girl has been attacked and left injured by these malicious and cowardly individuals.

"It is extremely lucky this girl was not more seriously injured but the trauma of going through something like this will stay with her long after her wounds have healed."