A HUNT is underway for a man spotted clutching a gun and torch near a Stoneclough garden centre just two nights before the assassination of Paul Massey.

Mr Massey was shot dead outside his home in Clifton on Sunday, July 26.

But, 48 hours before the execution, a man was spied just yards from Giants Seat Garden Centre in Stoneclough, holding a gun and a torch.

Detectives probing the murder of Mr Massey are desperate to trace the man seen just a mile-and-a-half from the scene of the killing.

Investigators do not know if the man seen in Stoneclough is the killer, or an accomplice, or simply an individual unrelated to the investigation.

They are keen to speak with him to eliminate him from their enquiry into the murder of Mr Massey, who stood to be Salford mayor in 2012 and is said to have had links to the area's criminal underworld in the 1990s.

Wearing camouflage trousers, a black hat and black jacket, the man was spotted 150 yards from Giants Seat at about 7pm on Friday, July 24.

Father-of-five Mr Massey, aged 55, was shot four times outside his home in Manchester Road at about 7.30pm two nights later.

The man spied in Stoneclough was in what a witness has described as a white, Renault Kangoo van, close to the entrance of Giants Seat Farm.

He is in his late 30s to early 40s, about 5ft 10in tall, of average build, with a round face, and was carrying a gun and torch.

A spokesman for Giants Seat said their staff had not seen this man, but that the area is popular with dog walkers, who may have spotted him.

It is not known if the area is covered by CCTV.

Father-of-five Mr Massey was murdered 48 hours after the Stoneclough siting, and police say the possible killer was a white man, of slim build, who was wearing a fisherman style hat, a face covering, green or khaki long-sleeved top, and combat-style trousers tucked into black, lace-up boots. He had a black gun.

Det Ch Insp Howard Millington, the senior investigating officer, said: “It has been just over a week since the murder of Paul Massey and our investigation continues to catch whoever did this.

“We are keen to investigate all avenues I would ask the man gets in touch so we can eliminate him from our enquiries.

“We also still want to speak to a girl who may have been a witness to the shooting.

"She was standing at the bus stop on Manchester Road at the time of the shooting. She is described as about 16 or 17 years old, Asian in appearance and of slim build. I would urge her to come forward and talk to us.

“We recognise there has been concern in the community and I want to remind people that we have officers in the area should any residents wish to come and talk to us.

"The key to this murder may lie within the community and I believe someone out there has information that can help our investigation. I understand that people may be reluctant to talk to officers but if you do know something about who may be behind this, please talk to us, in confidence.”

Businessman Mr Massey was branded ‘Salford’s Mr Big’ at a council meeting discussing civil disturbances in 1992 and was jailed for 14 years in 1999 after he stabbed a man in the groin and left him for dead. He vowed when running for mayor to encourage stability in the home, improve rehabilitation programmes for the young and to rid the streets of drugs.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 9775, or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.