Airgun shooting 'tragic accident'

The Normacot Hotel has been sealed off

The shooting of a three-year-old girl in a pub in Stoke-on-Trent has been described as a "tragic accident".

Officers have said they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident at the Normacot Hotel.

Doctors contacted police after the girl was taken for emergency treatment for what looked like a head wound caused by an air gun pellet.

Police have spoken to another child who was in a bedroom with the girl at the time and a weapon has been recovered.

'Sensitive investigation'

The girl has been taken to the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham where her condition on Tuesday evening is described as stable.

Police said the girl was in a bedroom in a private area of the pub when Monday evening's incident took place.

Det Insp Wayne Jones described it as a "sensitive investigation" but it appeared to be a tragic accident.

"We have had an account of the incident from the other child in the room at the time and information from other aspects of the investigation support that account," he said.

"We are still working to establish the circumstances which lead to the discharge of the weapon and we are working to support the family at this distressing time."