Four men have been arrested over a multiple shooting at an inner-city pub which left two men dead.

Neighbours described how a large gang of "hoodies" attacked the Brass Handles pub in the Langworthy area of Salford, Greater Manchester, yesterday afternoon. Today, a spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said that four men, believed to be in their early 20s, had been arrested overnight in connection with the incident.

Locals said the mob attack on the pub was carried out at around 2.20pm yesterday afternoon, when it was packed with customers watching Manchester United’s play Newcastle on television.

The Times reported today that the two men who died had entered the pub and singled out two other men, whom they shot. They were then chased out of the pub by other customers and shot on a nearby playing field in front of a group of young children playing football.

The victims died at the scene while the two other men who suffered gunshot wounds remain in Hope Hospital, under police guard, being treated for serious injuries. The killings happened in the notorious Langworthy area of inner city Salford, a mix of high-rise flats and terrace houses, much of which is boarded up.

Greater Manchester Police fear the shooting could be part of a gang war. Today, a force spokeswoman said: "Four men have been arrested in connection with the shootings. All the men are believed to be in their early 20s and continue to be questioned by detectives."

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