A SILVER revolver used to murder a promising young footballer has been discovered by detectives.

Halton McCollin, aged 20, died in hospital three days after being shot in the head in a takeaway on January 19.

In the last few months officers from the team investigating his murder have uncovered new clues.

Crucially, they have now found the gun they believe was used to murder Mr McCollin, who’s father lives in Astley Bridge.

The silver revolver was found when officers searched a house in Parrs Wood Road, Manchester, in May as part of an unconnected investigation.

The gun was seized and forensically examined, and through ballistic testing officers established that bullets found at the China Garden takeaway in Stretford had been fired from this gun.

Yesterday, on what would have been the Flixton FC player’s 21st birthday, police launched a new appeal for information on three men who were seen to approach the takeaway in masks before one of them opened fire on Mr McCollin and his friends.

Det Supt Pete Jackson, who is leading this investigation, said: “We feel like we are closing the gap on Halton’s killers, but we still need people’s help to bring his family some justice.”

“We are not going to give up on finding his murderers. We have been very busy behind the scenes speaking to people and collecting evidence about who was there that night, and who might be responsible.

“Halton’s family have also been working closely with us, doing whatever they can to encourage people to tell us what they know.”

A £20,000 reward is available for anyone who provides information leading to the conviction of Mr McCollin’s killers.

In April, his father, Halton McCollin Snr, aged 54, from Astley Bridge, said: “It’s a shame it comes down to people only coming forward with information when there’s a sweetener involved. But money talks in the community that we live in. We can only appeal to whoever has information and is aware of people that the police should be speaking to.”

Anyone with any information about Halton’s murder can contact police on 0161 856 3691 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

pkeaveny@theboltonnews.co.uk