Police have issued a description of the man they are hunting over the shotgun shooting in Loxford Lane, Ilford, on Monday.

At 4.30pm the suspect allegedly got out of a car next to Loxford General Store and blasted a gun twice.

A 22-year-old man was hit and remains in hospital in a critical condition.

A pellet also skimmed the cheek of an 11-year-old boy playing in Loxford Park.

The child had minor injuries and has since left hospital. The pair were not known to each other.

Det Supt Simon Moring of the Met’s gang unit Trident told the Recorder: “The suspect is described as a black-skinned male, wearing a baseball cap with a light peak and a dark top with a white or yellow pattern on the sleeve.”

He said the motive was unknown, although the boy was not believed to be a target.

Two vehicles are also being sought.

One is a white Seat missing a wing-mirror on the drivers side and a black BMW which may be missing its front registration plate.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.