A 13-year-old schoolboy is lucky to be alive after he was shot outside a scout hut at the weekend.

The teenager is making a recovery at home following his release from hospital yesterday (Tuesday) while police stepped up their appeal for information. He is believed to be the youngest victim of gun crime in Croydon.

The shooting happened outside a scout hall in Melfort Road, Thornton Heath, at 11.45pm on Saturday as the boy and some friends were queuing to get into a private party inside the premises.

While outside, they were approached by a group of men and police say an altercation ensued, resulting in one man firing a shotgun which hit the boy.

Some of the men then got into the scout hut and let off some CS gas before the whole group made off in the direction of London Road, Norbury.

The boy, who is from Lambeth, was taken to a south London hospital with gunshot wounds but has now been discharged.

Police say it is not clear what the two groups were arguing about before the fighting started and have urged witnesses to come forward with information.

Detectives also now believe the men had first attended an earlier party nearby and intended to gatecrash the function in the scout hut.

The incident is being investigated by Operation Trident, the Met Police's specialist unit tackling black-on-black gun crime.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Dower, who is leading the investigation, said the boy was lucky his injuries were not more serious and added: "I am appealing to anyone, who was either present when this incident took place or has any information about it, to come forward and assist the investigation team."

Councillor Paul Smith, Croydon's cabinet member for crime reduction, indicated the council would be investigating the nature of the event which was being held at the scout hut.

He added: "Obviously, this is a terrible incident and the police have made significant progress in reducing the number of gun crimes over the last year, but this highlights that a lot of work is still needed to get guns and knives off our streets.

"I understand it occurred very late at night and we will be looking at whether there is anything further we can do once we establish what kind of event was taking place there."

A spokesman for the Scout Association said the event was not one connected with the scouts, but that the hut had been let out for a private function. They declined to comment any further on the incident.

Anyone with information should contact the Operation Trident on 020 8785 8580 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.