Detectives hunting for a gunman who shot a man outside a north London club are appealing for a key witness to come forward.

The man is fighting for his life after he was shot in the neck outside the 194 nightclub in Cricklewood on Sunday morning.

The 29-year-old was sitting in his blue Vauxhall Astra car with his 39-year-old brother when the shooting took place at 3.15am.

They had both just left Club 194 in Cricklewood Broadway and were waiting in a traffic jam when a mystery assailant fired a single bullet through the open front passenger window, hitting the victim in the neck.

Despite the street being busy, the gunman managed to run away in the direction of Kilburn.

Police say the victim spoke with a young black woman, who was also sitting in a green car at the same traffic lights, shortly before he was shot.

"Police are keen to speak to this lady, calls are treated in the strictest of confidence," police said.

The victim's brother drove immediately to a central London hospital, where the injured man is said to be in a serious but stable condition.

No arrests have been made.

If you have any information on this crime, call the police on 020 8785 8580 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.