A SCHOOLBOY was injured in a drive-by shooting that has alarmed police.

Scott Cooper, 12, was shot in the arm close to his home in Darlington by a yob brandishing a weapon from inside a car.

Police investigating the shooting have described it as shocking and are anxious to track down the owner of a Fiat Punto seen speeding away from the scene.

Scott was one his way back home with his 12-year-old cousin and seven-year-old brother, Matthew, when he was targeted by the gunman close to the town's Longfield Comprehensive School, on Friday afternoon.

His mother, Caroline Preston, of Longfield Road, said he felt a pain to his arm, saw blood and when he looked up saw a car with metallic paintwork racing away.

"He came straight home to tell me,"she said. "I was horrified. I can't believe some lunatic could do that to a young boy, I'm so angry.

" They are three good kids who mind their own business and they were attacked - it's appalling."

Scott was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where an injury to his right arm, believed to be caused by an air rifle or air pistol, was dressed.

PC Sam Turner, of Darlington police, said the incident could have been much worse had the pellet hit Scott's younger brother.

" The young boy is the height of Scott's injury to his arm and could have easily been shot in the eye,"he said.

" We are treating this as a serious offence and appealing to anyone with information to get in touch."

Mrs Preston, 35, added: " I'd like to see the use of these airguns banned or at least heavily restricted."

Sergeant Graham Charman said that while only the most powerful airguns need to be registered, it is illegal to carry an airgun in a public place without lawful authority.

A number of airgun incidents have taken place in recent years across the region.

Eight-year-old Dylan Cook was shot near his home in Stockton last year.

Matthew Sheffield, 14, was shot dead after a prank went wrong at Eaglescliffe, Teesside, in 2002, and Nicola Distin, 15, of Gateshead, was left blind in one eye after she was shot in 2001.

Anyone who can help police is asked to call (01325) 467681.