A woman who was shot at point blank range in a Bradford pub says tougher jail sentences are needed to help stamp out gun crime.

Deanna Contreras was lucky to survive the shooting - but the .22 bullet which remains lodged near her spine is a painful reminder of her ordeal.

Gunman Stephen Flaherty was sentenced to life earlier this year after a jury at Bradford Crown Court found him guilty of attempted murder.

But the minimum period of time declared by the judge for Flaherty's consideration for parole was five years and two and a half months.

Mrs Contreras, pictured, told the Telegraph & Argus: "There needs to be more of a deterrent against using guns - tougher jail sentences for people who are in possession of illegal firearms, let alone those who use them."

The 35-year-old was speaking out after the Telegraph & Argus launched its campaign to stamp out gun violence.

Mrs Contreras said: "I'm right behind the campaign. We need to crack down on people who carry guns around before they have a chance to use them.

"That means more funding for the police, more support from the public, and tougher sentences for criminals."

Flaherty, 41, was on the run from prison when he carried out the shooting at the Peel Park Hotel, Otley Road, Bradford, in December 1998.

He became involved in a row and later returned to the pub with a Derringer handgun - firing it as Mrs Contreras.

She said: "If firearms are in general circulation innocent people can get hurt.

"I wasn't doing anything wrong, I was just sat in the pub.

"There was an argument and Flaherty came back armed with a gun."

Surgeons attempted to remove the bullet lodged near her spine, but she went into shock on the operating table.

She is still plagued by nightmares and flashbacks about the incident and loud bangs like a door slamming or a car backfiring leave her shaking with fear.

Mrs Contreras said: "I am not sure how the police can tackle the spread of illegal guns, but they do need the support of the public as well as extra funding."