A HEROIC doorman who saved the life of a teenage throat-cut victim has been left fighting for life after being shot in the neck by a hooded gunman.

Detectives say Eric Atkinson, 30, of Warrior Security, was shot after asking a man to remove his hood on Friday night at the Derby pub in Widnes town centre.

Mr Atkinson - who saved the life of a 17-year-old Widnesian who suffered a 10-inch slash wound across his throat on New Year's Day - is in a critical condition at Whiston Hospital and heavily sedated while his family maintain a 24-hour bedside vigil.

Detective Inspector Paul Rumney said: 'It seems that the only reason for the shooting was that Eric refused entry to somebody who refused to comply with the dress code.'

Mr Atkinson, a married father of one, had challenged two men to remove their hoods and reveal their faces before entering the bar.

One complied and walked into the bar area, but the other 'stared' at the doorman before barging his way in.

Mr Atkinson was escorting the thug out when he pulled a handgun from his waistband and fired a shot.

He wrestled the crazed gunman out-side where at least three further shots were fired - one bullet entered his neck.

Susan Atkinson, his distraught mother, said: 'It's been hell. Eric has a little girl, she's upset and hurt. Please, please help police catch this man.'

The gunman was 'scruffy', white, aged 20-30 with short hair and a slim face, and wore a blue hooded jacket.

His associate, who left through a side door as customers fled in terror, was in his early 20s and wore a blue hooded top.