A SAWN-off shotgun found in a Bolton park was discovered by two schoolboys, it has emerged.

Police said that the weapon was found in Haslam Park on Thursday evening by two youngsters.

The two boys, one aged 11, alerted their parents, who then called police.

Forensic investigations are still pending as detectives continue to look into how the gun came to be under a bush in the park.

The Wigan Road entrance to the park was cordoned off for close to 24 hours following the discovery, as investigations were carried out.

The gun, which was not loaded but had cartridges with it, was found wrapped in a plastic bag.

One of the boys' aunts, who asked not to be named, contacted The Bolton News following reports that the gun had been found by a dog-walker.

She said: "The gun was actually found by my nephew and his 11-year-old friend."

Cllr Phil Ashcroft, who lives close to Haslam Park, said the shocking discovery will have left the child and his mother traumatised.

He said: "I can only assume that somebody has been disturbed and thrown it down or they got wise to the fact police were after them and they have got rid of it.

"It is extremely shocking and the fact we have got this sort of firearm on the streets of Bolton is very concerning.

"The lady and the boy must be traumatised after finding something like this."

A Wigan Road resident, who asked not to be named,said: "This is shocking. I go in there all the time with my kids and you see carrier bags and rubbish lying around but you never think something like this could be in them.

"I'm just glad it was not my kids who found it."

Greg Wood, owner of Cafe Vienna, said: "It is especially shocking to hear this because there were bullets with it.

"There were a lot of kids hanging around on Thursday night. It was one of them who told me that the police were there because a gun had been found."

A police spokesman said: "At 6.45pm on Thursday, police were called following reports a firearm had been found under a bush in Haslam Park, Deane.

"Officers attended and recovered the weapon. No one was injured and no arrests have been made."

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.