A GAMEKEEPER who shot himself between the eyes in an apparent attempt to take his own life miraculously escaped death.

The 30-year-old man fell unconscious on his bed with a gaping head wound and woke up eight hours later, before driving to his mother's house for help.

Detective Constable Kevin Kilkenny, of Derwentside CID, said the man lived by himself in North Durham, where the incident took place on New Year's Day.

DC Kilkenny said: "He miraculously survived.

"For some reason the bullet was deflected and he somehow managed to get to his bed where he lost consciousness.

"The wound did not bleed profusely and the next morning he got up and made his way to his mother's house."

From there he was taken to hospital. Police have taken possession of the rifle, as well as a number of other firearms found at the gamekeeper's house. The weapons were all licensed and there is no question of any criminal offence.

DC Kilkenny said: "We have taken a sympathetic approach to the incident and have left the man time with his family to come to terms with the problems."