Police sealed off a country track through a woodland in Trimley St Mary this afternoon after a man was found with gunshot injuries.

Several police cars and an ambulance were sent to the scene, while the police helicopter searched the area from above, after the man, in his 20s, was found by a member of the public.

The man, who had been shot in the leg, was found on the Keeper’s Track, part of the Trimley Estate, owned by Trinity College, Cambridge.

Police were called just after 1pm by the ambulance service after the person who found the man called for medical help.

Detective Inspector Darryl Skuse said: “I would like to reassure members of the public that we do not believe that this was a random attack, and we think that the victim may have been known to the offenders.

“Officers will now be doing all they can to find those responsible and I would ask anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident or who has any information to contact us as soon as possible.”

The man was taken to Ipswich Hospital and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Eye-witnesses said police had sealed off Keeper’s Track – which runs off Cordys Lane, south of Trimley Station, and links the lane with footpaths leading to Fingerbread Hill – and forensic officers could be seen combing an area a short way along the path.

Other officers were carrying out house-to-house inquiries in Cordys Lane.

Keeper’s Track leads to Keeper’s Cottage, and is used by walkers and horse riders as part of the area’s footpath and bridleway network.

Police are appealing for anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to contact them on 101.