AN air gun sniper who hides in bushes by a busy road is targeting motorists in their cars.

The unknown gunman is thought to use a high velocity air rifle to fire lead pellets at vehicles - and police fear someone could be killed.

Detectives believe it is the same gunman who has struck 16 times in the past nine months on the A693, between the Morrison Busty roundabout and Greencroft Industrial Estate, at Annfield Plain, near Stanley, County Durham.

The marksman always strikes near the footbridge when it is dark and the most recent attack was on a silver Peugeot 306 at 10.30pm on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old driver, from the Stanley area, was in the car with his 22-year-old fiancee in the passenger seat and her 49-year-old mother in the back.

A lead pellet thudded into the passenger door, inches below the passenger window.

He said: "If it had been a few inches higher it would have hit the window and I think it would have went through. It could have hit my fiancee.

"I am not too bothered about my car, the main thing is we are all right.

"You can replace a car - but you cannot replace yourselves."

The driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, added: "At first, I though someone had thrown something off the footbridge.

"I am pleased I did not get out to look for anyone, now I know they had a gun. They might have shot me."

The man works as a driver for a council highways department and has to drive on the road regularly.

He said: "It is a bit scary knowing that there is someone out there shooting at cars. I am pleased I kept control of the car, but what would happen if it was an old woman and it broke her window or hit her tyre?"

Police fear someone could be seriously injured or even killed and are determined to catch the person responsible.

Inspector Ian Proud, of Stanley police, said: "Taking pot shots at moving vehicles could cause a very serious accident. It is possible that someone could end up losing their life as a result. It is a very dangerous game."

Insp Proud urged youths who hang around a the nearby park and may have valuable information, to contact him.

He said police patrols in the area would be increased and officers would be focusing on youth crime in the area until the gunman is caught.

The attacker could be charged with using a firearm with intent to endanger life, which carries a lengthy prison term.

Anyone with information about the rifleman is asked to call police on 0845-60-60-365.