A MAN who was shot in the leg as he walked home from a night out in Dartford is in a stable condition in hospital. A masked gunman opened fire on the victim near Leigh City Technology College in Green Street Green Road during the early hours of Sunday morning.

He was blasted once in the leg at point-blank range by a man brandishing a shotgun and managed to scramble back to his home where a friend took him to Dartford's Darent Valley Hospital for treatment. The victim, who has not been named, is being kept under police guard and his condition is stable.

Detective Chief Inspector Martyn Henneker, who is leading an investigation into the shooting, said: "We are looking at a professional hit but can't jump to that conclusion at this early stage. Several leads are being looked at but there's no apparent motive for this incident. It was quite shocking and we are treating it very seriously.

"We believe this was a specific incident targeted towards the victim not the general public."

Anyone with information should call police on 01322 283154 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.