CHILDREN could choke on small plastic darts fired by toy guns, parents and toy sellers have been warned.

The warning was issued by Worcestershire County Council's trading standards service after their counterparts in Hampshire were called in to investigate a toy gun following the death of an 11-year-old boy who was on holiday there.

European legislation introduced last month requires all projectiles with a suction cup to be at least two and a quarter inches long - or 57mm - to prevent choking. It is illegal to sell projectile toys with stems shorter than that.

John Benjamin, Worcestershire trading standards safety officer, said: "We welcome these changes in safety standards and are now concerned that thousands of these older toy guns with darts are lying in children's toy boxes.

"We urge parents to consider destroying any toy darts shorter than 57mm, with a suction cup and also to warn their children of the dangers when playing with toy projectiles."

County residents or shopkeepers who want further advice should ring trading standards on 01905 765373 - for consumers - or 01905 765399 - for business.