A plastic toy gun on sale across North Yorkshire has the potential to cause injury, trading standards bosses said today.

The toy, which was imported by Articles Ltd, of Whitby, has been recalled after tests revealed that plastic bullets can be fired from it with enough force to puncture a drinks can.

Stuart Pudney, head of North Yorkshire Trading Standards, said retailers and wholesalers across the region are being instructed not to sell any more of the toys and to return remaining stock.

"It is a three-quarter scale replica of an AK47 assault rifle and comes in three parts in its own plastic carrying case," he said.

"When assembled it can look quite realistic which has raised some concerns about the effect of someone carrying it into a public place such as a shop or a bank.

"The gun's case carries the name 'Navy Seal' with a description of the gun and age warning stickers. Anyone who may have bought one is strongly urged not to give it to anyone, especially not a child and return it to the retailer.

"We are concerned that a toy such as this could result in injury and make for an unhappy Christmas."

newsdesk@ycp.co.uk