A MURDER inquiry was under way in Port Glasgow yesterday after a man was shot on his doorstep in a possible drugs killing. It was the fourth fatal shooting in Strathclyde in 11 days.

Michael Madden, 44, was shot at his house in Sunnyside Avenue, Woodhall, at about 9.15pm on Saturday and was pronounced dead at the scene.

His 19-year-old girlfriend, Courtney Canning, who is seven months pregnant, and her mother, Eleanor Canning, 54, were in the house at the time.

They were later taken out of a window of the upper storey flat on a Strathclyde Fire Brigade ladder, in order to preserve the crime scene at the front door.

The house was one of only three in a run-down block of eight still occupied. Yesterday, police sealed off both ends of the street to vehicles and the public.

Police said Mr Madden was known to them but would not comment on his criminal record.

However, neighbours said Mr Madden's house was frequently visited by people buying drugs.

''Everyone knew there was business going on there,'' one said.

Police said they had no strong line of inquiry but a possible drugs link would form part of their investigation.

Michael Madden Jr, 20, the dead man's estranged son, attempted to visit the scene yesterday but was kept away by police. He said: ''I learned about the incident on Saturday night from a friend. It's very bad. The police haven't told me anything. That's what I'm kicking off about.''

The dead man is also understood to have had a young daughter by another relationship.

Mary Stevenson, 51, a neighbour who grew up with Mr Madden, said: ''He was always nice to talk to and friendly. I can't believe it happened.''

The attack in Port Glasgow was the second fatal shooting in the Inverclyde area in one week.

On Saturday, October 7, the body of a taxi driver was discovered on a footpath off Newton Street, Greenock.

Andrew Tildesley, 28, of nearby Robertson Street, was shot in his car but staggered a short distance before collapsing. He was later found by a passer-by.