Soldier shot in legs after pub row

Detectives are appealing for information after a soldier who survived two tours of Afghanistan was shot following a row in a pub.

Guardsman Steven Higgins, 27, was blasted in the legs near the Lord Nelson pub in Swinton, Greater Manchester, where he had been celebrating his birthday.

The shooting took place in an alleyway behind the Netto store in Bolton Road on Saturday night.

Mr Higgins, who serves with the Irish Guards, was rushed to Hope Hospital in Salford where his condition is described as serious but stable.

Detective Chief Inspector Bill McGreavy said: "I want to reassure people in Salford that we are treating this incident very seriously. We have a team of detectives investigating and we are doing all we can to find out who is responsible.

"We would like to speak to anyone who may have been in the Bolton Road area at just after 10pm and may have witnessed this crime or seen or heard something out of the ordinary last night.

"Please get in touch with us as your information could be vital to our investigation. Your call will be treated in confidence."

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.