A young man and woman were today undergoing surgery for shotgun wounds after being peppered with pellets in an attack at a Bradford nightclub.

Police were called to the club in the early hours after nearby residents heard the shots being fired.

It is believed officers who arrived to deal with the incident left unaware that anyone had been injured.

But the man and woman later turned up at the casualty department at a local hospital at around 3.30am today after the reports of a shooting at the Planet Venus Club in City Road.

Police would not say which hospital the pair were being treated at for security reasons.

But they confirmed that the couple were being watched over by a number of armed officers.

It is believed there were around 100 people in the busy club - and they were being asked to come forward to help police trace the shotgun attackers.

The woman victim - an 18-year-old - was being treated for multiple injuries to her back and legs, believed to have been caused by the shotgun pellets.

The man, aged 20, suffered similar wounds to his legs.

Detective Superintendent Bob Bridgestock, who took command of the investigation into the shooting, stressed that he believed it was an isolated incident.

But residents close to the scene said they were horrified at the shooting.

Dr Sardar Mohammed, of St Michael's Road, said: "I always keep an eye out on this street because there is always something going on.

"I heard about six shots at around 2.30am and looked out and saw a group of Asian lads.

"I think they had been arguing and then I heard the shots."

Another resident - who did not want to be named - said she was not surprised by the shooting.

She added: "There is always a lot of trouble around here and it is sad, but not surprising, this has happened."

Rush-hour traffic through Bradford was hit early today as police closed off Preston Street, off Sunbridge Road, along with Thornton Street and access from City Road to St Michael's Road and Woodlands Street, pictured.

More than 100 people were in the club at the time and police are appealing for anyone who saw anything to contact the Incident Room at Bradford Central on (01274) 373144.

Bradford was dogged by a spate of firearms incidents this summer. Incidents included a drive-by shooting and the murder of Dexter Coleman in July.

The 27-year-old was fatally wounded at close range by a single shot from a .45 calibre handgun outside the Young Lions Caf in Lumb Lane, Manningham.