POLICE are warning parents of the dangers of ballbearing guns after a recent spate of incidents in Rawtenstall left a teenager with facial injuries and a cat needing emergency surgery.

And officers believe youngsters are buying the weapons for as little as £2 from a stall on Bury Market.

In recent weeks a teenage girl was shot in the face in the Whitaker Park area of Rawtenstall, a cat was shot in its side, leaving it needing emergency surgery, and two homes in the Bacup Road area of Rawtenstall had their windows shot at.

Sergeant Colin Hudson said: "It is not illegal to buy these guns which is the main problem.

"We need parents to realise how dangerous these guns can be.

"Because they are being sold openly for just a couple of pounds on the market, parents think they are just harmless toys."

Police traced the two young boys responsible for shooting the girl in the face and gave them a caution.

Sgt Hudson added: "When the girl was shot we traced the two young boys responsible for the incident.

"They were both given a caution and made aware of the dangers involved. Each year, air weapons are responsible for causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to property as well as injuries to people and pets.

"In the wrong hands, they can cause serious injuries and have been known to cause blindness.

Police are relying on the goodwill of local shop owners and stall holders to take ballbearing guns off sale.

Sgt Hudson added: "There was a shop in Rawtenstall selling the more expensive ballbearing guns for £40. When we spoke to them, as an act of good will they agreed to take them off sale."