AN airgun has been recovered by police investigating pot-shot shootings of anglers on a North-East beach.

One of a trio of fishermen making their way off the beach at Horden, on the County Durham coast, was struck on the chest by a pellet fired by one of three youths seen in the vicinity.

The victim's thick clothing prevented injury and the pellet is believed to have bounced away, while other shots narrowly missed the others in his party.

On realising the direction from which the shots were being fired the men chased after the youths, but they fled and escaped capture.

Police said the weapon believed to have been used was later recovered in the area and they hope it will lead to arrests in the case.

A Durham Police spokesman warned that the shootings could have had far more serious consequences.

"It is obviously dangerous to go around shooting at people - and illegal.

"If one of the men had been hit in the head or the face the injuries could have been fatal."

The incident took place at 5.30pm on Thursday as the anglers were making their way from the beach towards the Grants Houses area of Horden.

Anyone with information is asked to ring Peterlee police station on 0845 60 60 365.