I READ with alarm Bev Hughes’ support of boys playing with toy guns at nursery (Metro News, Jan 18).

Most oddly, it was her own Government that outlawed imitation firearms, but she now says that toy guns can be useful for boys to play with.

Surely the Government is sending a mixed message?

I managed to persuade a local shop keeper to remove these types of guns from the shelves in Northenden, as residents had complained to me that they were too realistic and could be used in an armed raid.

I am only too aware of the dangers of guns in our area.

I asked a PCSO in a public meeting about gun crime and was told that it "isn’t too bad", three hours later I was staring down the barrel of a gun in a bar raid.

I couldn’t tell whether the gun was real or not, but if we encourage our young children to play with guns at such a young age, it sends out the wrong message for our next generation – Bev Hughes should think again!

MARTIN EAKINS,

Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Wythenshawe and Sale East, Palatine Road Northenden

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