A MAN who was shot in the stomach after violence flared at a travellers' wedding was fighting for his life in hospital last night.

Two men were arrested and three shotguns recovered after armed police surrounded a site where dozens of travellers from across the region had arrived to attend the ceremony.

Police were sent to the James Street travellers' site in York, after receiving an anonymous call about a fight breaking out.

The shooting victim, believed to be a young man from the Leeds area, has undergone two operations at York District Hospital and was in a critical condition last night.

The drama began at about 6.45pm on Thursday as police were called in to seal off the area. An underwater search of nearby Tang Hall Beck was made.

A shotgun was found in a white van, which was later towed away, and two similar firearms were discovered later.

Twenty families live on the site, which has been run by City of York Council for the past five years, and travellers from across the North - including Bishop Auckland, County Durham - arrived for the wedding earlier this week.

Residents living nearby spoke yesterday of their shock at the shooting.

Wendy Christensen, who lives near the site, said there was an unusually large number of people in the area on the night.

"I thought something must have been going on. It's worrying that something like this has happened so nearby," she said.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Barlow, who is leading the inquiry, said: "A man has been seriously injured and it is essential that our large investigation takes in all possible information that can help us piece together the events. We need to hear from anybody who can help us as quickly as possible."

The two men arrested were interviewed at Fulford Road police station in York and later released on bail.

North Yorkshire Police are liaising with other forces to keep in touch with travellers from outside the county.

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.