A YOUNG GIRL was shot in the face when a ball bearing gun was discharged in a busy shop in York.

The ten-year-old needed hospital treatment following the incident at the Co-op Late Shop in Beckfield Lane, Acomb.

Fortunately the girl's sight was not damaged and she did not suffer serious injuries, although she was taken to hospital, York Police said.

The incident happened at about 6.40pm on Friday, soon after a group of youngsters entered the store.

United Co-operative, which runs the store, said that the injured girl was struck by a plastic yellow pellet just below her eye and was bleeding slightly. A spokeswoman said: "A store assistant went to the aid of the young female, comforted her, gave her some tissue to clean up the blood and volunteered to telephone her parents. She declined this and left the store herself. The incident was recorded by CCTV and this has been passed on to the police.

"We have spoken to the family of the young female and are happy that she is making a full recovery."

Police confirmed that a ball bearing, or BB, gun had been discharged inside the store. A spokesman said: "Four youngsters were messing about inside the shop. One had a BB gun and it was let off. It struck the victim in the face. She was taken to hospital, but there were no serious injuries."

A youth has been arrested and bailed.

Updated: 14:08 Friday, April 08, 2005