A SCHOOLBOY accidentally shot in the face with an airgun made up a story about a thug shooting at them because he did not want to get into trouble, police have revealed.

Sam Mather, aged 12, underwent emergency surgery after an air pellet struck him in the left eye.

Sam and a friend sparked a man-hunt after they told police they were shot at while walking along a footpath at the back of Wardley Road, Tyldesley, on Friday afternoon.

But the following day, they broke down and confessed they had made up the story to prevent themselves from getting into trouble.

An ambulance rushed Sam to Salford's Hope Hospital but he was immediately transferred to the Manchester Royal Infirmary for emergency surgery to remove the pellet.

It is not yet clear if he has lost the sight in his eye.

The pair now say the accident happened when the airgun went off accidentally while playing in Sam's home in Sale Road, Tyldesley.

A 14-year-old girl has been arrested and released on police bail pending further investigations.