A RADCLIFFE man told how two armed teenagers aimed their air rifles at him and fired.

Mr Peter Wright said the 14-year-olds shot at him and another man after they had remonstrated with the youngsters. Neither man was hit.

They had challenged the teenagers, who had been discharging the weapons in the Croal Irwell Valley Park.

Later, police detained the two youths and, after a severe reprimand, confiscated their air rifles.

The incident happened on Saturday as motor mechanic Mr Wright, of Ringley Road West, was at his garage in Sion Street, Radcliffe.

He said: "I was working when I heard the crack of the rifles about a dozen or so times. A neighbouring businessman remonstrated with the youngsters and I joined in.

"Then, from about 100 yards away, one of the teenagers put the rifle to his shoulder and aimed it towards me and fired. The other fired from the hip. I think there were three shots."

Mr Wright contacted police, who raced to the scene and detained the two youngsters. Mr Wright commented: "As far as I'm concerned, it's an offence to discharge a rifle in what is a public place. They were at the canal where, several weeks ago, a swan was shot. In that area, during the past few months, all the wildlife has gone. There are no swans, geese, ducks or other water fowl there any more."

A police spokesman said: "We understand the rifles had been given to the 14-year-olds by a security guard.

"The guns were confiscated and the youths were warned as to their future conduct."

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