A 23-year-old Guisborough man is under armed guard in hospital this morning as police hunt a gunman who shot him down at point blank range.

The victim was hit in the lower abdomen and surgeons are to carry out an operation this morning to remove the bullet which is lodged near his hip.

The incident is being treated as attempted murder and happened near Guisborough Rugby Club at about 6.30pm last night.

Police believe there had been a confrontation between two men in a blue Ford Mondeo and two men in a red Ford Sierra.

The 23-year-old in the Mondeo was shot. The other man in the car with him escaped unhurt. Detective Inspector Ian Garrett said the alarm was raised shortly afterwards and the Sierra was found at the rugby club, burned out.

He said: "There are two people out there with a gun. We know who they are and we would advise them to give themselves up to the police. It is only a matter of time before they are caught."

Police are appealing for anyone who was near the Rugby club between 6pm and 7pm to call Redcar CID on (01642) 302635.