The incident happened in Hastings on Monday at about 1900 BST.

Sussex Police said the girl was with friends near the children's play area at the junction of Cotswold Close and Pennine Rose when the shot was fired.

A spokesman for the force said: "The young girl's injuries are not life threatening but the incident was obviously very distressing for her.

Popular short cut

"Due to the nature of the injuries and the use of a weapon, police are appealing for local people to come forward if they witnessed the incident.

"The area where the attack occurred is overlooked by a number of houses and the area is a popular short cut."

The girl was taken to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings where she was kept in overnight.

Police said they had arrested a man in connection with the incident who was then released on police bail.