A FIFTEEN-year-old girl required emergency surgery after being shot with a ball bearing gun in Burnley Wood.

It i the latest of several incidents which police have been called to involving ball bearing and air guns.

Leanne Fergusson, from the Burnley Wood area, will have to wait to find out if she will suffer permanent nerve damage, because the ball bearing was lodged in the back of her neck.

She had been walking in Brunswick Street, near a disused church, when she heard a whooshing sound and felt a sharp pain in her neck but she did not realise at the time what had happened.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened at around 3.30pm on July 31.

When Leanne got home she complained of a pain in her neck and the next day she went to Burnley General Hospital and was immediately transferred to Blackburn Royal Infirmary for emergency surgery. A brass-coloured ball bearing had lodged near to the main group of nerves in her neck.

Sgt Nick Hodgeson said: "On that afternoon she said she did not come across many people but she had spoken to a toddler at some stage.

" After she was shot there was no blood and, since she was near home, she kept on walking.

"She is fine now and has returned to school although she may suffer some permanent disability, losing the use of some of her lower lip on one side because the ball bearing hit close to the major group of nerves."

He said the guns, which resemble a handgun in size and appearance, are widely available as "children's toys." In the Lancashire area dozens have been seized or handed in to police this year alone.

Sgt Hodgeson said: "I would appeal to anybody who may have been in Burnley Wood at the time of the incident and seen or heard something to contact the police.

"Alternatively if they would prefer to remain anonymous they can contact Crimestoppers free and inn confidence on 0800 555 111."

Police launched a special campaign earlier this year touring schools to warn youngsters about the dangers of using these types of weapons.

Sgt Hodgeson said: "This case illustrates just how much damage can be caused by ball bearing guns and air guns.

"In the wrong hands, these are dangerous weapons and I would urge parents to think carefully before they given them to their children.

"If any parent is not happy about their child having a toy of this kind they can call into any police station and hand it in and it will be properly disposed of."

He said although the guns are not illegal, their incorrect use may contravene fire arm legislation.