Drinkers dived for cover after a gunman burst into a busy Hazel Grove pub.

A 42-year-old victim, named by police as Gary Weaver, was hit in the chest and left arm while in the Horse and Jockey on London Road on Monday at 9pm after a man burst in with a shotgun.

Mr Weaver was taken to Stepping Hill Hospital with a serious arm injury and a minor abdomen wound. His condition was described as stable last night.

Police have appealed for witnesses and say the gunman wore black clothes and a balaclava, escaping in a car that was possibly silver.

Reports suggest he left through the pub’s back door.

News of such violence has been greeted with shock and anger, with police patrols stepped up to reassure residents and businesses.

Hazel Grove pubs, including the Horse and Jockey, had recently set up a Pubwatch group in a bid to tackle problems in the area.

Bill Noon, landlord of the Rising Sun and member of the scheme, said: "It frightens you. My first thought was that this is too close to home and the concern is that it could happen to you.

"Hazel Grove has a reputation that has been around for a while and this won’t help it. We have started a Pubwatch group to help try and turn it around."

Joy Parker, manager at the Home Farm Trust charity shop, next to the pub, said: "It is worrying for anyone who lives in Hazel Grove who just wants to go out and enjoy themselves. Things like this make people afraid to go out. Guns seem to have become part of our culture."

The shooting is being dealt with by the police’s major incident team.

Detective chief inspector Jeff McMahon, senior investigating officer, said: "We are not treating this as a random attack. The pub would have been extremely busy at that time and there would have been a lot of people in the area who may have seen a car being driven erratically or at high speed."

Stockport’s top officer, chief superintendent Rebekah Sutcliffe, added: "There will be a heightened police presence in the area over the next few days and extra patrols will be in place.

"Thankfully, incidents like this are extremely rare in Stockport but one incident with a shotgun is one too many."

Anyone with information can ring 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.