Police are hunting three masked gunmen who fired indiscriminately into a crowded nightclub, injuring five people.

Around 100 people were in the north London club when the men stood in the doorway and opened fire.

Detective Chief Inspector Ken Bell said the attack, at the Cactus Bar in Kensal Rise in the early hours of Saturday, was being treated as attempted murder.

He appealed for information, adding: "This was a very serious incident involving suspects who fired indiscriminately into a crowded bar without concern for life."

Not life threatening

A police spokeswoman told BBC News Online that robbery is not thought to be the motive.

"As far as we're aware that's not the case, we believe they were standing in the doorway when the shots were fired," she said.

She said none of the victims suffered life threatening injuries.

The three men, aged 37, 20 and 19, and two women, aged 20 and 16 were being treated at London hospitals.

A number of other clubbers received minor injuries from flying glass.

Police were called to the bar at 0345GMT after reports of gunfire.

Witnesses said the men were armed with a handgun and a shotgun and all were thought to be black.

There have been no arrests so far.