Traders selling ball bearing guns are being banned from a Bank Holiday market.

The weapons, which injured a nine-year-old boy in Whitehawk, Brighton, last year, are outlawed at the Brighton Racecourse market.

But visitors discovered them being sold under the counter and from the back of vans at Easter.

Andy Morris, manager of Town and Country Markets, confiscated the guns when he became aware of the sales and barred the traders from future events. He said: "We want to make it clear that it is company policy not to sell these guns and we are doing everything we can to make sure they are not sold at the market."

Police have urged parents to be careful when letting their children play with ball bearing guns.

A police spokesman said: "These guns can be classed as imitation firearms if used in a certain way.

"We don't want to stop kids playing in the street but parents have to be responsible if buying one for their child."