A MAN was undergoing emergency surgery last night after being gunned down in daylight, close to a popular children's play area in a public park.

The victim, who is believed to be a businessman in his 30s, was blasted in the stomach at close range in Preston Park at Eaglescliffe on Teesside.

The shooting happened only yards from one of the park's popular tourist attractions, Butterfly World.

The victim, who is thought to come from Stockton, drifted in and out of consciousness yesterday afternoon, but managed to speak to paramedics called to the scene.

He was taken to North Tees General Hospital where he was under police guard last night.

Detective Superintendent Stewart Swinson, who is leading the inquiry said: "It is my firm belief this was a specific targeted attack and that there is no general threat to the public.

"We believe we know who is responsible for this attack and we would urge this person to come forward and hand himself in."

Det Supt Swinson said that both the victim and the gunman were known to the police, but refused to give any more details about their identities.

It is thought the victim was blasted with a sawn-off shotgun as he sat in the driver's seat of a Vauxhall Vectra.

Police sealed off the area around the vehicle and launched a hunt for the gunman, who made off towards Yarm in a maroon, M-registered Mitsubishi Shogun.

The gunman was described as 6ft 5ins tall, with an extremely stocky build, and short dark hair.

After the shooting, Cleveland Police's armed response unit was on standby at the scene while the police spotter plane circulated the area.

Det Supt Swinson refused to speculate on the motive but said that he did not believe it was drug related.

He added: "We would appeal for anyone who was in the vicinity of the park at the time of the shooting or saw the Mitsubishi drive off, to come forward."

An incident room has been set up at Stockton police station. Anyone with any information is asked to call (01642) 302233.