A TOP-level inquiry has been launched after it was revealed that potentially dangerous air pistols, which are being offered on a premium rate telephone line, could be obtained by children.

Police and trading standards chiefs are investigating the availability of the pistols after they were alerted by the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

And ICSTIS, the watchdog for the premium rate phoneline industry, is also probing how the 6mm Ruger air pistols which fire potentially dangerous ballbearings are obtainable for the cost of a telephone call.

Details of the "Brilliant Air Pistols," which come with 50 rounds of ammunition, are contained in a glossy brochure which people can send off for after reading advertisements in national newspapers.

They say that if people call the number, listen to a message, say they are over 18 and then leave their name, an air pistol will be sent in the post. The calls are £1 per minute and the total cost of a call to obtain a pistol is £19.

There have already been cases of people calling similar phone lines without permission, from work and from home.

The brochure's website says the company behind it, which also offers controversial laser pens, has a Chester-based PO Box number.

Sale and possession of the pistols is not illegal, but the offer has been criticised by Jim Potts, chief trading standards officer for Lancashire County Council. He said: "At best they are wholly inappropriate as a gift. At worst they could cause injury.

"You only have to say you are over 18 and any child could say that.

"We will be liaising with the police and the Advertising Standards Authority to look into this.

"We have also reported it to ICSTIS which I think could find air pistols an unacceptable item to send in the post."

There are fears that the pistols, which boast "authentic styling" could be mistaken for the real thing.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said they were worried the guns could get into the wrong hands.

He said: "Although the pistols are low powered, there are some people whose perception of weapons like these might lead them to fear a crime, particularly if a person started waving one around.

"Obviously these are freely available and could be used by the wrong people."

A spokesman for ICSTIS said they were investigating.

He said: "We have heard about similar services and have taken action against one northern company before."

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