TWO gunmen shot a man in the back as he got out of his car outside a North East pub last night.

A police investigation is underway after the 54-year-old was shot at 4.12pm yesterday in the car park of the Six Mile Bridge Inn in Seaton Burn, North Tyneside.

It is the second event to rock the normally quiet community in less than a week after staff working at Ladbrokes on Front Street in the village were threatened with an imitation gun in a robbery last Saturday.

Last night, police cordons surrounded the scene of the shooting and a large section of Front Street was taped off.

It appears the man was getting out of his car when he was shot in the back by two men, who then drove off in a white van in the direction of the A19. The men remained at large last night.

The victim was taken to hospital where his injuries were not described as life- threatening.

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: “Initial enquiries suggest this was not a random incident.” Shop owner Mick Bajwa, whose general store is beside the scene, said: “I just heard a bang and thought nothing of it, I thought it was just kids letting off fireworks. But then I started to hear the sirens. It’s terrible this happening here. Nothing like this has happened before. It’s bad for business when stuff like this happens and we need business at this time of year.”

A police operation is underway to apprehend those responsible and patrols will be increased in the area to reassure the local community. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on the 101 non-emergency number.