The 19-year-old, from the Newcastle area, was approached by two young men in St Mary's Place in the city at 0445 BST, on Wednesday, who asked him for a cigarette.

When he said he did not have one, the pair crossed to the other side of the road and one shot him with what is believed to be an air pistol.

The student suffered a minor shoulder injury and was treated at Newcastle General Hospital before being discharged.

Flared jeans

The man who shot him is white, 19-20, 5ft 7ins, slim build, with black hair shaved at the back and sides and a mohican on top.

He was wearing light coloured flared jeans and a dark blue hooded top.

The other man is white, 17-18, 5ft 4ins, slim build, with dark short hair which was brushed forward. He was also wearing flared jeans and a hooded top.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Northumbria Police.