A distraught mother made a plea today for witnesses to help catch the gunmen who blasted her son on bonfire night and left him clinging to life.

Carol Wright said she understood why anyone who knew or was shielding members of the gang who attacked her 21-year-old son Carl Garrod might be afraid to come forward.

Police have released four people - two 21-year-old men and one 20-year-old man, all from Bradford Moor, and a 21-year-old woman from Ravenscliffe - on bail after they were arrested in connection with the shooting on the Ravenscliffe Estate.

But the 44-year-old divorcee, also from Ravenscliffe, said: "These people have got to be caught, they've got to be punished. I can understand people being frightened - if I was in their position I would be frightened too. But how would they feel if it was their son lying in a hospital's intensive care bed?

''If only they understood what me and my family have been through these last couple of days."

The family's ordeal started last Sunday when her eldest son Lee, 24, rang her around 10.30pm and told her his younger brother had been shot in the leg at a community bonfire at Larwood Avenue.

Officers believe the attack may have been triggered by an argument at the party an hour earlier.

Up to seven men - all wearing balaclava masks - returned to the bonfire in at least one dark saloon car, wielding baseball bats, machetes and a shot gun.

After smashing up a Mitsubishi Shogun car, they strode among the crowd, pointing their gun while searching for a target.

Carl was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary where he almost died from blood loss.

His mother said: "All he said to me was, 'mum, get who has done this to me' and then he had to be sedated. I thought he was dying because he was so cold. Three times the doctors said his condition was critical. On the first night I kissed him on the head and said 'Don't leave me'.''

She added: "I knew then in my heart that God wasn't taking him away from me."

Anyone with information should call (01274) 376059 or Crimestoppers (0800) 555111.

l On Thursday police arrested a 23-year-old Bradford man and an 18-year-old Bradford Moor man in connection with the shooting.

They were later released on bail. A total of five men and one woman have been arrested since the shooting.