A man was lucky to escape serious injury after being shot in the leg by an airgun as he walked through woods in Wythenshawe.

Police say the 21-year-old man was walking through the woods at the junction of Brownley Road and Crossacres Road in Wythenshawe at about 10.30am on Wednesday 20 March when he was shot.

He went to Wythenshawe Hospital where an X-ray confirmed he had a pellet from an airgun lodged in his leg. He was treated and later discharged although on medical advice the pellet will remain inside the man’s leg.

Police are now appealing to anyone who has information about the incident to come forward.

The offenders were described as being white and in their teens to early 20s. One was said to be wearing a black synthetic zip-up top and had a wide jaw and a big smile.

Detective Constable Melanie King said: “It is unclear why this victim was fired upon. It is possible the offenders were messing about and thought it might be ‘funny’ to fire the airgun at this young man.

“However, it is clearly no laughing matter and as a result of their foolish and reckless action, this man has been left with a pellet in his leg.

“It is fortunate he did not suffer more serious injuries because the offenders are not trained to fire such a weapon and so the pellet could have gone anywhere and caused very serious harm.

“I want to appeal to anyone who was walking through the woods at about the time of the incident who may have witnessed what happened or perhaps this group of young men messing around with the weapon.

“If you have any information about what happened then please come forward.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 4884 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.