The teenagers were among a group of youths on bikes

An accomplice shouted "that's him" as the man jumped out of a silver car and opened fire at the 15-year-old on Billing Avenue, Ardwick, on Saturday.

His family, who do not want to be identified, have appealed for the community's help to catch the gunman.

The boy remains under guard in hospital and is in a stable condition, but his family said he was lucky to be alive.

Another boy, aged 13, was shot in the leg in the attack on Saturday night and also remains in a stable condition.

We know that he is lucky to be alive Victim's family

The 15-year-old's mother and grandmother issued a statement thanking the local community for their support, but appealed for more help.

"Lots of people have been helping the police to piece together what happened but we know that there is someone out there who knows exactly what took place and what's behind it.

"I'd ask them to imagine seeing someone they love lying in a hospital bed, littered with bullet holes. How would they feel?

"We know that he is lucky to be alive. He knows that too. But we can see that he is frightened. He doesn't want to see the news - it brings it all back to him."

CCTV clue

The shooting occurred while the victims were out playing on their bicycles at about 2350 BST. The gunman held on to the 15-year-old as he opened fire into his chest, back, groin, buttock and leg.

Det Ch Insp Jane Antrobus, leading the inquiry, said: "I believe that the victim was the intended target but we are still working to establish why he was picked out by these men."

Detectives are now trying to trace the silver 4-door hatchback, similar in style to a Ford Focus, which the gunman got out of.