PARENTS and toy sellers are being warned about the dangers of toy guns firing small plastic darts, after the death of an 11-year-old boy.

Worcestershire Trading Standards has issued the warning after officers in Hampshire were called to investigate a toy gun following the child's death while on holiday there.

A new European Toy Standard requires all projectiles with a suction cup to be at least 57mm (2in) long to prevent choking.

It is now illegal to sell projectile toys with stems shorter than this.

The new safety regulations were introduced in September, as the result of a death in Sweden two years ago, when a nine-year-old boy is believed to have choked after shooting a dart from a toy gun into his own mouth.

The change in the safety standard was welcomed, but thousands of older toy guns with tiny darts could still be lying in children's toy boxes, said safety officer John Benjamin, of Worcestershire Trading Standards.

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

Coun Stephen Clee, Worcestershire County Council cabinet assistant for community services, said safety was paramount, especially where children were concerned.

"I cannot underestimate how important it is that residents and retailers take notice of the Trading Standards warning about the choking hazard these toy guns and their darts may represent," he said.

Shopkeepers or parents wanting further advice should call Trading Standards on 01905 765373 (consumers) or 01905 765399 (business).