POLICE are warning parents to be wary of toy guns after a boy was hit in the eye with a pellet.

The 14-year-old, from Redcar, received hospital treatment after being struck by a pellet from a plastic gun on Saturday.

Three youths, aged about 16 to 18, were seen running towards Valley Gardens, in Saltburn, following the incident on the sea front.

Last night, WPC Claire Brunskill, of Saltburn Police, warned that the toy guns, which resemble metal ball-bearing guns, can be dangerous weapons.

She said: "They fire plastic ball bearings which come out with some force and can cause nasty injuries. You can buy them in toy shops and they only cost about £2."

WPC Brunskill said that as they are so easy to obtain, and are specifically designed for children, parents may not realise the potential harm the guns can cause.

"Parents should be aware of the dangers before letting their children play with these," she said.

"I don't understand why they even make them, as at the end of the day, they are weapons.

"They could probably blind someone if used with enough force."

While the teenager involved in Saturday's incident escaped without serious injury, WPC Brunskill said it could have been much worse.

She urged anyone who witnessed it to contact police on (01642) 302626.

She said there has been an increase in gun-related incidents during the past 12 months. "Last summer, there were quite a few injuries from air guns in Redcar," she said.

"I think the problem is getting worse, especially in the summer. There's always a possibility that toy guns could lead onto air rifles. The question is whether or not they are aimed at people deliberately. As soon as parents have turned their back, children are likely to misuse them," she said.

Roger Vincent, of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "Each year, people are injured with both toys and weapons and often, it's as a result of fooling around.

"A second's mistake can lead to tragedy."

He urged anyone who is concerned about the safety of a toy to contact their local trading standards office