A POLICE chief today warned pranksters that they could be putting their lives at risk by using toy guns to terrorise shoppers.

Chief Supt John Thompson spoke out after an incident involving youths firing plastic pellets, at a time when East Lancashire has seen a series of armed hold-ups in shops.

He warned that armed response officers could mistake replica guns for genuine weapons and said: "We only have one chance to assess whether a gun is real and we have to protect the public first."

The realistic toy guns are legally on sale across East Lancashire for less than £5, although Trading Standards officials have warned traders to exercise caution when selling them to youngsters.

Pensioner Donald Fisher, of Accrington, alerted the police to the sale of the guns after being attacked on Broadway, the main shopping street in Accrington.

He said: "They were just running around firing pellets at us. When we first saw the guns, we had no idea whether they were real or not.

"I got shot from about 15 feet and it was really painful.

"I had to hide inside a shop so they would leave me alone."

A police spokesman confirmed they had been called to an incident on Broadway earlier this month when children were seen with guns.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph purchased two "replica" guns from an electrical stall in Accrington Market.

The stall-holder said they were proving popular with youngsters.

When approached later by a reporter and asked about the problems with replica guns in the area, he refused to comment.

Both guns came with packets of plastic pellets. One of the guns was a small plastic pistol called The Fox, the other a BB Air Sport Gun, which was described by Supt Thompson as 'very realistic.'

There have been at least 12 "armed" raids in East Lancashire since November -- with police stating a significant rise had occurred over the last 12 months -- possibly due to the fact the guns are so readily available.

Mr Thompson said: "There is no law stopping these from being sold but we are concerned about the guns.

"These are realistic, but by no means the most realistic on sale.

"Having said that, if I was a shopkeeper and someone walked in with one, I would be scared. I wouldn't want to chance it being a fake.

"It annoys me that they are on sale and I have no doubt they are being used as something other than toys. Parents should not allow their children to have them."

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "I am very concerned about this. I shall see if there is any action we can take. People should be allowed to shop in safety."

In 1995, Mavis Fazackerley tackled an armed robber who had attempted to hold up a post office in Preston New Road, Blackburn, with a real gun.

Mavis, now 63, said: "I have seen these guns and they are very realistic. There should be some restrictions on them."

Dave Roderick, assistant chief trading standards officer for Lancashire, said: "We ask retailers to behave responsibly when selling these, especially to youngsters."