The shooting took place outside a gym

Police say the two men came under fire - possibly from an automatic weapon - outside the Physical Limit Health and Fitness Club in Brewery Road gym in Hoddesdon.

Witnesses said the gunmen were travelling in a Ford Transit which was later found burned out.

Hertfordshire Police were called to a "suspicious incident" in the town at 0930 BST in which a 32-year-old man, from Stevenage, died.

Officers cordoned off the scene around Brewery Road and an investigation has begun.

"We believe at this stage that the injuries were caused by an automatic weapon," said a police spokesman.

He said second man, who has minor injuries, was under police guard in hospital.

There is no trace of the two suspects whose van was found burned out in Lampits, Hoddesdon.

Both men who were shot regularly worked out at the gym which opens early each morning.

They would usually train for an hour and a half before leaving and walking into the street outside.

Assistant Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Jerry Alford said: "I am quite sure the gunman must have been watching and waiting for them.

"These two were often seen chatting outside the fitness centre and it would have been easy for the van to park up in a car park which has a good view of the front and then just drive down the road towards them."

Witness Chris Wheeler said: "It was rather unbelievable. We heard this terrific round of gunfire.

"By the time we turned round there was a chap lying on the pavement in a very bad way.

"The next thing we knew we heard that he had been shot from a van pulling out of Brewery Road.

"It was all pretty scary stuff. Both the people shot were bodybuilder types."

'Lots of gunfire'

Dave Holtby said: "We heard several shots ...continuous shots and lots of gunfire.

"It's not the sort of thing you expect on your doorstep."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the shooting.

"We are aware that this incident will have concerned the local community of Hoddesdon.