A man is fighting for his life in hospital after being shot several times in a busy park on Thursday afternoon.

The 20-year-old victim, who is still in a critical condition, was repeatedly shot in the chest in front of dozens of people who were using York Gardens, in Plough Road, Battersea.

At the time of the shooting the gardens were packed with women and children enjoying the unseasonally warm weather.

Witnesses told police they saw two men leave the park via the Plough Lane exit before jumping on a black motorbike and heading west along York Road.

The following day police search teams were meticulously hunting for clues at the west end of the park which backs onto St Peter's Church.

The church, also on Plough Road, overlooks the park and the building's recreation space looks directly onto the area where the search teams were looking for evidence.

One church worker, who did not want to be named, said: "I was working in the courtyard behind the church when I heard three or four shots coming from the park.

"I thought it was a car or builders but then I ran round and saw a man staggering around clutching his chest before collapsing to the ground.

"Someone must have called police and the ambulance straight away because they arrived within minutes."

As soon as the emergency services arrived they treated the man as concerned bystanders looked on.

Manny, 29, a shopkeeper from Sunrise Express newsagent opposite the park, said: "We heard three or four gun shots and within five minutes police had arrived.

"There were pockets of people standing around and watching."

A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 2.20pm to reports of a shooting. We sent an ambulance crew and air ambulance to the scene.

"Our staff treated a 20-year-old man, who was taken to a local hospital."

The park, which lies in the shadow of the Winstanley Estate, is home to the York Gardens Adventure Playground which is regularly used by mums and young children - Falconbrook primary school is also just yards away.

The entire green space was cordoned off today with police stationed at each of the park's five exits.

A police spokesman confirmed the Met's Trident Gang Crime Command unit are investigating the shooting, although no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information can call 0208 785 8589 or anonymously on Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Did you see anything on Thursday afternoon? Call the newsdesk on 020 8722 6343.