A man has died after being shot in the leg, police said.

The 22-year-old was wounded in a firearms incident on the outskirts of Hawick in the Borders last night.

He was taken to Borders General Hospital with a high-velocity bullet wound in his thigh but died this morning, according to police.

"Police are investigating the death of a 22-year-old man who died from wounds sustained as a result of a firearms discharge. The incident happened around 11.45pm on Tuesday May 7 in a rural location on the outskirts of Hawick," a spokesman for Police Scotland said.

"He was taken to the Borders General Hospital. However, he passed away in the early hours of this morning.

"Inquiries are currently at an early stage."

The Scottish Ambulance Service said Hawick Community Hospital received an emergency call at 11.53pm.

"The patient may have been in a car going to the hospital with a relative or a friend," a spokeswoman said.

The man, who is said to have been unconscious when the call was made, was transferred to Borders General Hospital at about 12.40am.

"There was CPR ongoing. It was a high-velocity bullet through his left thigh," the spokeswoman added.

"Sadly the gentleman passed away."