THE landlord of a town centre pub has today told how he saw a reveller at the Caribbean Club put a handgun to a man's head shortly before hearing a gunshot - two hours before police were called.

THE landlord of a town centre pub has today told how he saw a reveller at the Caribbean Club put a handgun to a man's head shortly before hearing a gunshot - two hours before police were called.

Christian Barton, landlord of the Milestone, in Woodbridge Road, also told The Evening Star that drinkers from the club told him that a gun was pulled inside the club as early as 9.30pm. He claimed that trouble was breaking out inside the venue all night.Police officers were called to the venue shortly before 4am on Saturday after a mass brawl between men from Ipswich and London spilled out into the street.

Five people from Ipswich were taken to hospital, including a man in his early 40s with a gun-shot wound to the lower part of his body.

Concern has now been raised as to why police were not called earlier.

Mr Barton, who said he had not slept properly since the incident, said: “I heard some men arguing at the front of the beer garden at about 1.45am.

“I was upstairs and came down and there were five or six blokes all arguing and shouting at one lad. Then one of the guys pulled a gun at the other guys head. It was a small hand gun.

“I went out the door and walked around to the front and told them to clear off.

“I then walked from the driveway back towards the door and as I turned around one of the guys from the group ran up the road and they all chased him and then I heard a gun shot go off.”

Mr Barton also said he heard from drinkers in his pub on Friday night that a gun was pulled at about 9.30pm inside the Caribbean Club.

Ipswich Borough Council leader Liz Harsant has also questioned why those at the Caribbean Club did not call the police earlier.

She said: “I do not think that the police were called until it was out of hand. Surely the Caribbean Club could see there was trouble brewing?”

The club has remained closed while police continue their investigations. A large police presence was still at the building yesterday, which included police sniffer dogs.

DCI David Cutler, of Suffolk Constabulary, said: “Police continue to examine the scene and therefore the Caribbean Club remains closed and enquiries are continuing to locate further victims and trace witnesses in Suffolk and elsewhere.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.