IT has been confirmed that the man shot dead in Westhoughton was 28-year-old Michael Blake.

Police have revealed that Mr Blake was killed after being shot twice — once in the leg and once in the back of the head.

Prior to the shooting, at about 11pm, an ‘unknown man’ knocked on the door of an address in Manchester Road, which was answered by Mr Blake’s partner.

Mr Blake, who works delivering heavy goods vehicles, then left the house in a light coloured van.

Shortly after, his partner then answered another knock at the door and found Mr Blake’s body in an alleyway near the house.

UPDATE/ VIDEO: 1.22pm: Man dies after being found shot

LIVE: Fatal shooting - Police press conference

Police said there was a period of around 10 minutes between Mr Blake leaving his address at 152 Manchester Road and the second knock at the door, when his body was discovered dumped in the alleyway.

The Bolton News:

Detective Superintendent Jon Chadwick, Head of GMP’s Major Incident Team said: “We don’t know why  Michael was killed and we are still in the early stages of our investigation. So we really need the public’s help.

“Witnesses have described seeing Michael get into a light coloured van shortly before he was shot, so we are now searching for the van and would like to speak to anyone who may have seen it in the area around the time Michael was shot.

“Manchester Road is always busy and there will have been people around at that time so if you were in the area between 10.30pm and 11.30pm please have a think, you might have seen something that could really help us find Michael’s killer.

“Michael’s family are obviously devastated by his death and I’m determined to get them the answers they deserve. My thoughts are with them at this tragic time.”