TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following the shotgun shooting of a man in Accrington.

A major operation was launched after 35-year-old Mark Walsh was gunned down in the alleyway behind his end-terrace home in Maudsley Street.

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Despite the arrests, police have asked people who knew Mr Walsh to contact them and said their probe remains ongoing.

Det Ch Insp Mark Walsh said: “While we have arrested two people, this remains very much an ongoing inquiry.

“I appeal to anyone who has any information or who witnessed anything suspicious in the Maudsley Street area on Monday night to get in touch with us.

“I also appeal to anyone who knows the victim, Mark Walsh, to get in touch with us so we can continue to try to build a picture of events that led up to Monday night’s shooting.

“We have a large team of officers and staff working on this inquiry.

“We are determined to bring those responsible to justice.”

The two men arrested, 29 and 26, from Lytham, remained in custody last night.

Officers set up an incident room in Blackburn and increased their presence in Accrington after the shooting, which happened at around 9pm on Monday.

Mr Walsh was taken by ambulance to Royal Preston Hospital. Staff at the hospital had been put on stand-by for his arrival.

Armed police officers were also called to the scene.

Mr Walsh had surgery to remove shotgun pellets from his head and his condition has improved from serious to stable, police said.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council, said: “I have big concerns whenever a firearm is discharged in the borough. It is very rare.”

Anybody with information has been asked to call police on non-emergency number 101.