A MAN has been taken to hospital after a shooting in Great Lever.

Emergency services were called to Settle Street just before 9.40pm last night.

The victim was rushed to hospital and is said to be in a stable condition.

Ward councillor, Cllr Mohammed Ayub, told The Bolton News that the man had been shot after opening his door to two people.

No arrests have been made and Greater Manchester Police say enquiries are ongoing.

Settle Street was closed between Pennington Road and Belford Drive this morning and a police cordon was put in place.

The scene is next to St William of York Catholic Primary School.

Multiple police cars and vans were seen at the scene, along with at least a dozen officers. 

One resident reported hearing a 'bang' at around 9pm last night. 

The Bolton News:

Another one said he was walking his dog on nearby playing fields when he heard the noise. 

He said: "I heard a bang and shouting and arguing. It's not unusual to hear disturbances round here. I just thought it was kids throwing a firework."

One parent at the school gates this morning said she was 'worried'. 

She said: "The kids shouldn't be allowed to play out today. They should be kept inside as a precaution."

A shopkeeper from the nearby Londis convenience store said: "I shut up the shop at about 9pm last night and didn't see or hear anything. 

"Something has to be done around here. It's giving Great Lever a bad name."

The shop remained open for business today but the shopkeeper said she feared that the cordon and police presence would affect custom.

Cllr Ayub said he is concerned by what has happened and called for something to be done.

He said: "It is really bad that something like this is happening in Great Lever.

"The investigation is still ongoing and I hope that the police get to the bottom of this and find out why this has happened.

"What we really need is more police because it's not good at all in this area."

The shooting follows another firearms incident less than a fortnight ago when shots were fired at a house in Hilden Street, The Haulgh.

And in July a man was left fighting for life after being shot in his parked car near a gym off Lever Street.

It is unknown whether this latest incident is linked to either of the earlier crimes.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "We were called to Settle Street in Bolton at about 9.40pm on Sunday to reports that a man had been shot.

"He has been taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

"No arrests have been made and enquiries are ongoing."

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman added: "We were called to Settle Street at 21.28pm.

"We sent an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, an advanced practioner and a senior clinician; and have taken a patient to hospital."