The 33-year-old underwent 12 hours of surgery on Monday at East Surrey Hospital as staff tried to repair damage done to the limb following the shotgun blast at around 3pm last Friday.

Police have found a Ford Sierra car which they believe was used as the getaway vehicle.

The gunman ran to Oak Road moments after blasting his victim in the arm and chest. From Oak Road he jumped into a white Sierra and drove off at speed towards the High Street in Caterham-on-the- Hill.

A car of a similar description was seen driving dangerously into Chaldon Road where it narrowly missed people using a pedestrian crossing. A member of the public followed the car as far as Chaldon village before losing it. The car was last seen heading in the direction of Merstham or South Croydon via the A23.

The tatty white car was discovered in Church Road, Wallington, where it was dumped sometime after 3pm.

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who saw it being left there. The registration is G229 KWD.

Detective Chief Inspector Bernie Watson said: "I'm keen to hear from anyone who was in Church Road on Friday who may have been visiting the church graveyard and saw any activity which struck them as unusual and who possibly saw a white Sierra."

Earlier this week police were waiting for the man's condition to improve before interviewing him.

Officers are remaining tight-lipped over any possible motives.

The crime is not being linked to the Whyteleafe shooting of 48-year-old sandwich bar owner Mario Commatteo on March 30.

Anyone with information should call Reigate police and ask for the Dorking incident room on 01737 76 50 40.