A man has been shot dead in broad daylight on a street in east London.

The victim, whose age has not yet been released by police, was killed next to a butchers in Chatsworth Road, Hackney, just after 1pm today.

He was found suffering from gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene, Scotland Yard said.

Police have closed the road while they investigate.

Detectives from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime have launched a murder probe and were this afternoon hunting for the man's attacker.

In a statement, a police spokesman said: "A post mortem-examination will be scheduled in due course.

"Next of kin have not been informed. The Homicide and Major Crime (HMCC) are in the process of being informed.

"Local road closures are in place. No arrests and enquires continue."

Witnesses spoke of their shock after police swarmed on the road in the moments following the shooting.

Michael Healy saw emergency service vehicles outside his flat in the aftermath of the attack.

He said: "Everything had been closed off. There were ambulances around the corner.

"There were quite a lot medics working on the poor guy, who was lying on the ground. It's terrible that he died.

"There were lots of people out on the street. My flatmate's boyfriend heard the gunshots".

Stephen O'Flaherty tweeted: "I think I just heard a shooting on Chatsworth Road. People jumped to the ground & scattered, after shots were heard."

Helen Pitman posted: "Shooting on #ChatsworthRd #Hackney stay clear for now everyone!"

Anyone with information can contact police on 101.