A MAN was due to undergo surgery in hospital today to remove a pellet from his neck after a shooting incident in Westhoughton.

The 20-year-old man -- who has not been identified -- was shot with an air rifle after a dispute involving two groups of men in Church Street shortly after 4pm yesterday.

The pellet entered his neck and ended-up embedded in his shoulder. He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where surgery was due to be performed later this afternoon.

Officers interviewed the man at his bedside last night.

Two men, both aged 22, have been arrested. They were still being quizzed by detectives this lunchtime.