A TEENAGER was left with a bloody wound to her thigh after being shot by a stranger with an air gun in an unprovoked attack.

Carla Price was with friends on the river bank opposite Fleur-de-Lys rugby club when she saw four youths in a tree - one of whom had an airgun.

Moments later she felt a pain akin to being "hit in the leg with a hammer". When she looked down, there was a hole in her trousers and the blood was soaking through the material.

The youth responsible immediately ran off with his friends in the direction of the bridge near Tucker's Rock.

Miss Price was treated by a passing paramedic following the incident at 4.30pm on Saturday before being taken by ambulance to the Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil.

The 16-year-old, from Heol Trelyn, Upper Penllwyn, Pontllanfraith, said: "We saw them shoot a pellet into the river. We turned to walk away and that was when they shot me in the leg. It felt like somebody had hit me in the leg with a hammer. It started bleeding straight away and was seeping through my trousers.

"We started walking home and luckily we saw a paramedic and he treated me before ringing for an ambulance."

She said: "I don't know why he shot me because they don't even know me. You can't go round shooting people like this. I wouldn't be surprised if they did it again.

Carla's mother, Valerie, said: "The paramedic rang and said my daughter had been shot. She is now limping terribly and there is a nasty bruise and the wound keeps weeping. It's just as well the pellet didn't get lodged in her leg.

She said: "She won't be allowed to go to Fleur-de-Lys anymore - she'll have to stay around Penllwyn where I can keep an eye on her."

The four youths are described as being aged around 16.

One of them had brown hair and was wearing a blue jumper.

PC David Cole, of Blackwood police station, said: "This was a stupid and dangerous act.

"It is illegal to have a loaded rifle in public, especially if it is a youngster and they are not supervised by an adult.

"They should be strictly kept for private use."

Anyone with information is urged to ring Blackwood police station on 01495 223648.