The suburban calm of East Finchley has been shattered by a dramatic gangster-style shooting.

The quiet area neighbouring the Grange estate was rocked after a 20-year-old man was shot by a group of masked men in New Trinity Road at around 4.20pm on Friday last week. He is currently recovering in hospital.

A resident of nearby Willow Walk, who did not want to be named, said: "I came home on Friday to see all the police tape up and didn't understand what was going on.

"When I was told somebody had been shot I was amazingly shocked.

"This is East Finchley. People don't get shot in East Finchley. I moved here to get away from all of that."

The shocking sequence of events began at the park area of New Trinity Road, where the man and a friend were approached by a group of youths wearing balaclavas.

An argument broke out, which ended in one of the youths pulling out a silver pistol and shooting him.

After the attackers fled the scene, the man's friend was left to drag him to East Finchley High Road, where they desperately flagged down a passing fire engine for assistance.

The man was taken to St Thomas' Hospital where he was treated for gunshot wounds.

Police are now appealing for any witnesses to the shooting to call 020 8217 7381. There are no further details of his attackers or how they fled.