Two people have been injured after being shot with paintball guns in separate street attacks in Hyndburn.

A 28-year-old man was hit in the arm five times by paint pellets as he walked past Rising Bridge petrol station on Manchester Road.

Police said the gun was fired by a back seat passenger in a black Range Rover Sport on Saturday, July 21 at 11.15pm.

Minutes later a 20-year-old woman was walking near to the Tesco Express store on Abbey Street, Accrington, when the same vehicle pulled up alongside her and fired paint at her head, causing swelling and bruising to her inner ear. Police believe other people may have been targeted and are appealing for anyone that has been hit with a paintball gun to come forward.

PC Paul Meades, who said the Range Rover has tinted windows, added: "This is a serious offence on innocent people which could have had far more serious consequences.

"I’d appeal to anybody that knows the people responsible or with any information that could assist with our investigation to come forward and call Lancashire Police on 101."

People with information can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at www.crimestoppers-uk.org