TWO men were shot dead at a busy nightclub as it hosted an anti-gun night in a protest at London's growing gun culture.

Police are treating the shooting as double murder following the deaths of 19-year-old Mohamed Korneh and 21-year-old Selorm Gbesemete. Both men were shot at The Tudor Rose in Southall at about 2.10am on Sunday.

Father-to-be Mr Gbesemete, of Stonebridge Park, Wembley, was found collapsed in an alleyway next to the club. He died at the scene. Mr Korneh, from Croydon, was shot inside the club and was taken to New Ealing Hospital where he died later on Sunday morning.

A post mortem found both men died as a result of gunshot wounds.

In written statements the men's families spoke of their shock and appealed for people to come forward with information.

Mr Gbesemete's family said: "Anyone who knew Selorm would say he was a very peaceful person.

"We can't understand how we are in this situation. It has got to stop. There must be a better way than this. We don't want anyone to think that they must avenge our brother's death."

Mr Korneh's family added: "Mohamed did not believe in violence. He was a young friendly man, not someone you would expect to be killed in this way."

The motive behind the shootings remains a mystery and police are keeping an open mind. The club night was called Unarmed Part 2, attended by about 300 people on the night of the killings. It is understood the two victims were enjoying a night out at the venue when they were shot by two men armed with handguns.

DCI Richard Freeman, of the Metropolitan Police, said: "The two victims of this double murder went to a club night held as a protest against guns and themselves became the victims of London's gun culture."

One of the suspects is described as black, aged about 20, 5ft 8ins tall and wearing a thick black leather jacket. The second suspect is also described as black but no further description is available. It is believed the two suspects were part of a group of black men, aged in their 20s, who left the club in a rush after the incident.

Anyone with information should call the incident room at Hendon on 020 8358 0100