POLICE today stepped up their hunt for the gunman who shot insurance director Barry Putson after a bungled robbery attempt in Burnley.

The police underwater search unit was today searching the canal near to Tunnel Street looking for the black Luger-like air pistol used by the robber.

He was being chased from Carole Parker's Insurance offices in Padiham Road shortly before 5pm on Tuesday when he turned and shot Mr Putson in the face.

A bullet lodged in his left cheek only inches from his eye.

A man arrested later that night has been cleared of involvement in the incident and has been released.

Officers today resumed their house-to-house inquiries and are searching the area for the weapon. They have again appealed to the public for information. Det Insp Colin Barton said: "We have two good sightings of the man but need more information. The area was busy at the time and people must have seen him.''

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area that afternoon or recognises the description of the robber is asked to contact Burnley CID on 01282-425001.

The gunman was white, in his early 20s, about 5ft 8ins tall, medium build with dark eyes, a rounded face and he had a pale complexion.

He was wearing a beige baseball cap, a navy blue jacket with a V-shape at the front and blue jeans.

Under the jacket he was wearing a light coloured top.

He was last seen in Broughton Street behind Padiham Road.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.