A MOTORBIKE used in a drive-by shooting at a popular bar in Manchester city centre could have been stolen in a burglary in Bolton, police have revealed.

The shooting happened at about 9pm on Thursday, October 9, when two men on a motorbike rode past the Living Room bar in Deansgate before one of them fired several shots at the bar, forcing punters to dive for cover.

The doorway of the bar was damaged, but no-one was injured.

The men then rode off on the stolen bike.

Police believe the two men made a pass of the Living Room before the shots were fired, turning right down Wood Street before doubling back to the top of Deansgate.

After the shooting, the men made off on the bike along Deansgate and rode the wrong way up King Street West.

A bike was later found burned out in Brotherton Drive, Salford, and police believe it may have been the one used in the shooting.

The bike was stolen during a burglary in Bolton in February.

Police say they are now struggling to find witnesses to the shooting and urged people to contact them.

Det Sgt Guy Laycock said: “We have had a limited response following our initial appeals for witnesses, but we need more people who were on Deansgate at the time to come forward with any information they might have.

“The CCTV footage clearly shows a number of people standing outside nearby bars and restaurants, as well as cars and taxis waiting in traffic behind the motorbike as the gunman takes aim.

“We need more of those people, those key witnesses, to come forward to assist with our enquiries.

“What will really help us is those people who were stood outside the Living Room, the neighbouring bars or were driving past the motorcycle at the time of the attack.”

Anyone with information can phone police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.