GUNSHOT victim Mohammed Anwar Chaudhry today made an appeal from his hospital bed for the public to help police catch the man who blasted him in both legs.

The Nelson businessman is recovering in hospital from wounds inflicted when he was shot in both thighs by an intruder in his home.

Mr Chaudhry, 51, has undergone surgery at the Royal Preston Hospital where he remains in a serious condition.

He said he hoped the public would come forward with information which may help police to catch his attackers.

He was at his Manchester Road home with his wife Zubeda Begum and 14-year-old son, Shakeel, on the night of Friday, December 8, when he was confronted by a masked gunman.

Mr Chaudhry was shot in the leg and after falling to the ground was shot a second time.

Police said the gunman never said a word. One of the theories being considered is a vendetta against the family. Mr Chaudhry's son Shahzad, 24, said it could have been a case of mistaken identity and that he may have been the intended victim.

Mr Chaudhry owns a successful halal meat and poultry business, North West Poultry products, based in Preston.

Shahzad has a prestige car hire firm as well as an involvement with the family business.

The business and family backgrounds are being investigated as part of the major inquiry but so far no reason for the shooting has been found.

Detective Superintendent Ian Jones has expressed disappointment at the lack of information from the public and urged anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant, to contact Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111 or ring the incident room at Colne police station on 01282 472477 or 01282 472473.

He said: "Mr Chaudhry is a well-known and established businessman and there are probably people within the community who know something about this attack."