POLICE have launched a hunt to find a youth who shot a schoolgirl in the head with an air weapon.

His 13-year-old victim, who is not being named, was shot in the face, an airgun pellet lodging in her nasal bone, half an inch from her eye.

The youngster spent the weekend in the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, following the attack which happened outside the Whale Hill shops, Easton, near Middlesbrough, at about 11pm on Saturday.

Although, she was discharged, surgeons are expected to try to remove the pellet when she returns to hospital, later this week.

The attacker may have been among a group of teenagers seen in the area, all clad in camouflage clothing and carrying rucksacks and sleeping bags.

The injured girl noticed a group of five boys standing some yards away as she went on an errand to a late opening shop.

Despite her injury the girl managed to return home and raise the alarm.

Cleveland Police say the area around the shops was busy at that time of night as neighbouring pubs emptied and people were going home and to takeaway restaurants.

Medical staff at the hospital reassured the girl's anxious family that she was in no danger of losing her sight.

Appealing for witnesses to come forward, Detective Sergeant Tom Drysdale of Cleveland Police said yesterday: "This was an indiscriminate, callous and senseless attack which could have had horrendous consequences.

"This young girl could quite easily have been blinded or worse. As it is, she may have to undergo surgery to remove this pellet which has embedded in her nasal bone.

"Air weapons are not toys; they can be deadly in the wrong hand.

"It's only by good luck that this girl did not suffer more serious injuries.''

He said: "I would particularly like to speak to the youths, who were about 14 years old and anyone else who was in the area at the time.''

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to phone Cleveland Police on (01642) 302626 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.