A YOUNG boy triggered off a scare when he discovered what is thought to have been a live bullet lying on the pavement outside his home.

Jonathan Mason, aged seven, of Higher Swan Lane, Great Lever, was playing out with friends, in the back street close to Paulhan Street, when he made his discovery.

Unaware that it could be live the youngster happily tried hammering the three inch long object.

And when his mother, Theresa, realised what her son was playing with, she almost froze with fear.

She said: "I didn't think I would be able to recognise a bullet if I ever saw one, but this was unmistakeable. I thought 'my God', and took it off him.

"I showed it my husband and a couple of friends, and they all agreed it was definitely a bullet.

"You can tell the bullet had not been fired because it is a full shell. It frightens me to think Jonathan was hammering it.

"It is now safely out of his hands. But it does make me wonder who on earth is lurking out there.

"Just a few months ago, Jonathan found a bag full of about 100 needles - some used and some not - close to the house."

A police officer took the bullet for further examination.

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