A MAN is still fighting for his life after being shot in a busy public house.

Neighbours claim the victim was shot twice after three masked men entered the Jolly Farmers in Thames Road, Crayford, on Saturday night.

The man, understood to be in his early 40s, was critically injured and police have launched a major hunt for the gunman.

Police were called just before 9pm after reports of the shooting and the victim was rushed by ambulance to hospital.

The injured man has not been named and detectives have not confirmed whether or not he works at the pub.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said his condition was understood to be critical and added: "We retain an open mind as to any motive at this early stage.’’

A spokesman for London Ambulance service said: "One patient, believed to be aged 42, was suffering from one or more gunshot wounds and was treated and conveyed to hospital."

Neighbours were first alerted to the drama by the noise of approaching sirens as police swarmed in and sealed off the area to search for clues.

Many residents were left shocked, saying this was a normally peaceful area.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "My wife and I had been out that night and come home about 10.15pm.

"We saw three police cars and two police vans outside the pub and the officers had cordoned off the area with tape.

"I asked a couple of people what had happened and was told somebody had been shot. I couldn’t believe it.’’

Sam Wallis, who lives across the road from the pub, said: "The worst I’ve known for that pub is just young people making a noise when they have come out.

"But it has been really quiet since the pub changed hands a couple of months ago so it is terrible that something like this can happen all of a sudden.’’

Another neighbour, Michelle Castell, said: "I heard that three masked men had come into the pub and shot someone. It’s quite a shock because I feel safe in this area and it seems to be a nice pub when I’ve been there."

A second woman neighbour said: "I have lived here for seven years and never come across anything like this. It’s awful that this can happen. This is not a violent area.’’

Police have so far not released any other details of the incident. But they have confirmed that it is being investigated by the Trafalgar Central Shootings Team, which deals with non-fatal shootings.

The Jolly Farmers is a large, thriving pub on the busy Thames Road in front of an industrial estate, entertaining drinkers with Friday karaoke nights and tribute bands.

Apart from being used by neighbouring residents it also has a cafe for lorry drivers and a Thai garden restaurant.

No one at the Jolly Farmers would comment on the incident.

Anyone with information that may help police investigating the shooting should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.