The victim of Saturday's shooting in the Barton area of Oxford has spoken exclusively to the Oxford Mail about the moment he thought he was going to die.

Niall Sterry, 40, of Ilsley Road, Barton, who is still recovering in hospital from gunshot wounds to the leg, said: "They tried to kill me. When the second shot was fired, I thought that I would die.

"I'm still traumatised by it and will be in hospital for quite a while. I'm now worried about reprisals."

Mr Sterry, who was shot after violent clashes erupted at a party, was speaking from the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford shortly before undergoing a second skin graft operation on his leg last night. He said he was still feeling drowsy after the trauma of the past few days.

Police were today continuing their investigations and are hunting five or six hooded men, thought to be part of a group involved in the shooting.

Det Insp Simon Morton, of Oxford CID, said: "There were specifically four to six males with their faces covered who were part of the group with the firearm.

"There were probably anywhere between 20 and 30 people at the party. Quite how many people were outside the address trying to get in is debateable."

DI Morton said officers had already interviewed 25 witnesses and were set to interview more.

Yesterday evening police officers and Police Community Support Officers were patrolling at the estate, reassuring residents and seeking witnesses and information.

Mr Sterry was left with serious leg injuries following the shooting and had pellets removed from his leg over the weekend.

He said the party at his house was a celebration party for his 15-year-old daughter, but said it was not her birthday party as had been previously reported.

Armed police were called when residents reported hearing gunshots, after a group of youths gatecrashed the party. Two men, aged 26 and 34, were later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and have been released on police bail.

An elderly resident said yesterday: "It has been quiet all summer on Barton, and now someone has gone and done this. I hope they catch whoever did it."

The two men have been bailed to return to St Aldate's Police Station on November 7.

Det Insp Morton said extra police patrols would continue in Barton for the next couple of weeks.

Anyone with information can contact police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.