A MOVE to ban the sale of replica guns are being supported by campaigners in Chorley amid fears the realistic-looking toys could fall into the wrong hands.

Chorley Chamber of Trade is working with police, Chorley Borough Council and Trading Standards to push for Government action on the issue after one was discovered for sale in the town.

Lawrence Carter, a licensed gun owner who runs Carter's cheese stall on the market, was shocked at how realistic the guns look. Lawrence, who raised the issue with the Chamber of Trade, said: "There is no way of telling if it is real or not."

Jos Hampson, secretary of Chorley and District Chamber of Trade, added: "We have been advised that at the moment it's not illegal to sell them, but it is hoped action will soon be taken by the Government.

"We are requesting a bye-law be introduced to Chorley prohibiting such sales.

"Somebody could have a heart attack if one of these things was produced."

Trading standards and police officers have already visited the shop known to stock the replica guns to outline possible dangers if they were used in a threatening way.

Safety concerns is set to be discussed at the next meeting of Chorley Town Centre Forum in December.

Forum chairman, borough councillor Steve Holgate, said: "This is a national issue, not just affecting Chorley. We are researching current legislation.

"Our main concern is about these replica guns getting in the wrong hands and we are looking at ways of preventing this."