On Monday, a boy who had been expelled from Myton School in Warwick for using an imitation firearm returned to lessons, against the wishes of the school's govenors and headteacher.

It is believed the teenager fired a BB gun - a weapon used for target shooting which fires ball-bearings or plastic bullets - in the school playground. He also held it to another pupil's head.

The boy was permanently expelled by headteacher Geoff Walker - a decision upheld by the school's board of governors.

But after his mother appealed to an independent exclusions panel - made up of a headteacher, govenor and another independent person from outside the school - the decision was overturned.

Commenting on the incident, a Warwickshire County Council spokesperson said pupils' safety was of "paramount importance".

But he highlighted the fact parents have a "legal right of appeal".

He said: "We appreciate the gravity of this incident and recognise that permanent exclusion is a serious measure taken by a headteacher and is always reviewed by a school's governing body.

"However parents have a legal right of appeal to an independent appeal panel, consisting of trained volunteers who consider all of the available information and come to a decision in line with the law. In this case, the panel decided that the child should be reinstated.

"Myton School continues to provide an excellent educational environment for all its pupils and will continue to work closely with parents and students in upholding its high standards."

Warwickshire police say BB Guns are increasingly a problem and have been used to threaten people in serious incidents.

The force is warning parents and children against their purchase.

Warwick district commander Chief Inspector Tim Bailey said: "We take all reports of firearms, including BB guns, very seriously and always respond robustly as part of our commitment to protecting the community from harm.

"BB guns are very realistic and it is often difficult for members of the public, and police officers, to differentiate between them and prohibited firearms which can result in fear and distress.

"We do not have a particular problem in Leamington but my advice to parents would be to discourage children from using any firearm, unless under the supervision of a trained adult, and be aware that any weapon is a potential hazard to others."