ARMED police surrounded a car after reports of two men brandishing a handgun.

Officers then aimed their guns at two suspects, who police said quickly surrendered in Laburnum Road, Little Harwood, Blackburn.

And when officers searched the vehicle they said they found two ball bearing guns.

A 20-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy were arrested on suspicion of firearms offences.

Police said the incident had highlighted the dangers of brandishing replica guns.

Under the Anti-Social Behavi-our Act 2003, it is an offence to possess an imitation firearm in public without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Penalties range from fines to possible jail sentences.

And police said anyone brandishing the imitation guns were putting themselves at risk, as armed officers would always be deployed.

A spokesman said: “People don’t realise how much trouble they can get themselves into with imitation firearms.

"They can be charged with offences and end up with a criminal record.”

Police said calls from concerned members of the public came in to them at 2.30pm yesterday over the Laburnum Road incident.

The nature of the reports meant they had no choice but to deploy armed officers.

A police spokesman said once the officers arrived at the scene and drew their guns the incident was quickly over.