A woman who was shot in the face with an airgun has lost the sight in her left eye, it has been revealed.

But Terry Hall, who accidentally shot best pal Tracey Power with an airgun, said she has forgiven him.

Speaking for the first time yesterday about the incident he said: "It's affected us both, I can't believe someone can be so forgiving.

"She's been really good about it. The first thing she did was give me a hug and ask for a Big Mac, I didn't know what to say," he added.

Miss Power, 27, has a pellet lodged between her eye and the bridge of her nose and was told by doctors yesterday her left eye cannot be saved.

She has been told the pellet would not be removed because it is safer where it is.

Mr Hall was polishing the casing of an old air rifle not belonging to either of them last week when it went off accidentally.

Miss Power was coming down the stairs at their Glendale Road home and was hit in the face.

Mr Hall, 27, who runs his own disco and karaoke business, said the accident had been the latest in an emotional rollercoaster.

The pair moved to Burnham three weeks ago from the Middlesbrough area after Mr Hall came to Essex to search for his mother.

He had been separated from his mother for 15 years but was reunited after bumping into her on a garage forecourt.

He said "I meet my mother and this happens."

But now the pair are considering visiting schools and youth clubs to warn youngsters of the dangers of weapons which can maim for life.

"It's frightening to know how quickly you can destroy someone's life, these weapons can be given to a 14-year-old without a licence.

"The weapon has been handed over to the authorities for destruction and anyone who has these guns should throw them away," he added.

Miss Power is expected to be released from hospital later today after doctors have stitched her injured eye lid.

Mr Hall said the pair hoped to see specialists to discover if the eye could still be saved.

"She deserves a second opinion. I'm taking her out for a Big Mac and we will try to lead a normal life," he added.

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