Parents of an 11-year-old boy have hit out at a school for expelling their son for carrying a 'plastic gun' in his bag

Krystian Weber, from Monmouth Road, Blackburn, had been returning a BB gun to his school friend who had left it during a visit to his house.

But when staff at Our Lady and St John Catholic College discovered the item in his bag, it was taken from him and he was suspended for a week.

The year seven pupil was then called into the school for a meeting with his parents where he was told he would not be returning.

Krystian's parent's said their son deserved a 'second chance'.

But staff at the North Road college said they protect pupils by taking a firm stance on student's bringing banned items into school.

36-year-old Dareusz Weber, Krystian's father, said: "He's normally a very good boy and has never had any problems like this before.

"It's not fair.

"There was no warning about this.

"I don't see why the school could not give him a second chance.

"He's been suffering from depression since this happened.

"He is really upset about it all."

Our Lady and St John RC College headteacher Peter Tite said the matter was still under investigation.

Krystian said he had been trying to fix the BB gun, which he said was broke, at home after his friend had left it with him.

He took it into school in his bag as he intended to return it, but his friend was absent.

Another pupil heard he had the 'plastic gun' in his bag and alerted a teacher, who searched Krystian's bag.

He said: "I feel a bit annoyed and sad.

"I had lots of friends at Our Lady that I'd known since primary school.

"This is the first time anything like this has happened.

"I'd never have brought it in if I knew there would be this much trouble.

"I have no idea what's going to happen now."

The BB gun had been confiscated by the school and handed over to the police, Mr Weber said.

It was arranged by the school for Krystian to attend Blackburn Central High School on Wednesday for the rest of the week but the family had 'no idea what would be happening' going forward.

Krystian's Mum Patrycja Weber, 33, said: "We don't know what's going on, I'm very stressed.

"I'm very upset and angry about it all, this is the first time Krystian has ever been in trouble.

"I don't see why he couldn't have just been given a warning."

The family moved to Blackburn from Poland three and a half years ago.

Krystian previously attended St Antony's Primary School in Blackburn, before starting at Our Lady and St John Catholic College this year.

Headteacher Mr Tite said: "Like all good schools, at Our Lady and St John we take a firm stance on pupils bringing banned items into school including any items which could endanger our pupils or staff.

"As with any incident which is under investigation we cannot comment on specific pupils.

"We are investigating the whole incident around this and cannot comment further."

Cllr Dave Harling, executive member for education on Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "This is an issue to be dealt with by the school, who will have a system in place.

"If he has started at another school you just wish them well for the future."