TWO business associates involved in a million-pound property deal have come under fire from gangsters.

Both property developer Terry Riley and entrepreneur John Ball have been targeted by thugs with guns and petrol bombs.

Mr Ball’s luxury home in Selworthy Road, Birkdale, and his security company office in Southport were attacked on Monday night.

At around 10.25pm, Mr Ball’s family were pinned inside their home by a hail of bullets.

He had just left and it is believed found the tyres on his car shot out.

As many as seven bullet casings are thought to have been found outside Mr Ball’s home by forensic officers. At least one bullet pierced the front window of the house.

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “I thought it was fireworks at first – the last thing you expect is for shots to be fired at your neighbour.”

Another neighbour said: “I heard a lot of noise and then I was disturbed by the flashing blue lights of the police cars and then they cordoned off the road.

“It's terrifying, though”