POLICE are appealing for witnesses after two people were shot at with a pellet gun while walking through a village.

Detectives from Bishop Auckland CID are asking residents in Staindrop, Barnard Castle and Bishop Auckland, to come forward with information relating to the incidents, in Staindrop on Sunday.

Witnesses have already said that the shots came from two white minibuses as they travelled through the towns and the village, between 3pm and 5pm.

Police last night confirmed that no serious injuries had been caused by the shootings, but said that two people were hit and many more had contacted the police saying they had been shot at.

One of them was Staindrop vicar the Reverend David Jones, who said he felt a missile skim his ear as he was locking up the village church.

The 65-year-old said: "It was about 4.20pm when I was simply going about my business and locking up the church when I felt something nick my ear.

"As it turns out, it was someone trying to shoot me, which you wouldn't expect in a village like Staindrop.

"I saw a white van drive off, but as far as I know other people were also shot at and although I was lucky I wasn't hit, it has still left me annoyed more than anything.

"I was a padre in the Army for 20 years, so I'm pretty used to being under fire, but this was plain stupid and mindless."

Police are urging anyone who saw the white minibus in the area to contact them immediately.

Detective Constable Tracey Austin, of Bishop Auckland CID, said as much information as possible was needed from the public.

She said: "We don't want to blow this out of proportion and scare the public, because this looks like a one-off, but we are very keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed any of these incidents."

A 19-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the pellet gun shootings, and has since been released on police bail.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det Con Austin, at Bishop Auckland police, on (01388) 603566.