A MAN has been charged following the shooting of a teenage girl which left her fighting for her life.

It is understood the 16-year-old was attending a party at a flat in Gorton when the incident happened in the early hours of Saturday.

Police say the girl, who was shot in the head, remains in a critical condition in hospital after undergoing emergency surgery.

Wayne Bryan, who turns 20 on Friday, of Gorton Villa Walk, Gorton, has been charged with inflicting grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm and ammunition. He is due to appear at Manchester City Magistrates' Court today (Monday).

The incident happened during a celebration at a maisonette on Ashover Avenue just after 6am. Revellers at the party reacted after hearing a shot fired and discovered the seriously injured teenager lying in a pool of blood.

Residents living in the estate said they were shocked to hear about the tragic incident.

One woman resident in the neighbouring block said: "I came home from working a night shift and found police had blocked off the road so I couldn't get through. There was a lot of activity. It's really sad to think what's happened."

It is the second shooting to take place in a Gorton home in just over a year.

Schoolgirl Kamilah Peniston, 12, was accidentally shot by her teenage brother Kasha at the family home on Wembley Road in May 2007.

A judge later jailed her brother, then aged 16, and mother Natasha, who had been hiding the fatal handgun for a boyfriend.

Anyone with information about the incident on Saturday is being asked to call detectives on 0161 856 4166 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.