A 13-year-old girl who was shot in the neck with an air rifle has been released from hospital after surgery.

The girl, who has not been named, had an air rifle pellet surgically removed from her neck and spent two days in Manchester Royal Infirmary after being shot in Ainsworth on Saturday.

Police have since interviewed a 14-year-old boy under caution and enquiries are ongoing.

Officers were called to the incident, which happened in a woodland area near the Duke William pub in Well Street, shortly after 5.30pm after the teenager had ran to the pub for help.

There she was given emergency first aid treatment by customers before paramedics could arrive to take her to hospital.

Andy Hitchin, the Duke William’s landlord, described his shock when the girl came in with a serious neck wound.

He said: “The girl came running down the lane into the pub and one of our customers was able to give her some emergency first aid.

“People were really shocked when they saw her and the injuries she had. When you hear that it was an air rifle you don’t expect it to be as bad as it was."

Mr Hitchin said his regulars helped the girl and were able to call police and ambulance crews to the scene.

He added: “Thankfully there were people in the pub who were able to help and the police and ambulance got here pretty quickly.”

The use of air rifles has been an issue in the area for some time and several residents are known to have complained in the past over the potential dangers.

Mr Hitchin added: “It happened out in the woods, which are a few hundred yards behind the pub.

“I have been for a walk out there plenty of times and seen signs saying that if you see anyone using an air rifle then you need to report it to the police, so it is an issue in the area that needs dealing with.”