A TEENAGER has been charged with possession of an imitation firearm after an Adver story.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested by armed police on Wednesday.

He has been bailed to appear at Swindon Youth Court on May 4.

An air pistol has been recovered.

The day before we printed a front page picture taken in Lydiard Park of two lads in a playground, one holding what looked like a real gun.

The two boys were spotted by a worried parent who wishes to remain anonymous.

The story sparked a police investigation. Chf Insp Adrian Griffiths said: "We have to react very quickly to anything like this. You could not tell from the picture whether it was a real gun or not, so we had to take it very seriously indeed.

"We cannot take any risks when it concerns firearms, that is why we made the arrests using armed police. It is all about people's fear of crime. When the public sees guns like this they will obviously feel very threatened.

"Anybody who gives us information helps us to fight crime, whether that is through the Adver or the police directly."

Since the picture was published the Adver has received calls from the public regarding the incident and all relevant information has been forwarded to police.

This latest armed arrest comes after another in Toothill on Tuesday evening when another teenager was taken for questioning. He has been released without charge.

Lydiard Park ranger Tom Murawicki said there have been teenagers shooting air rifles and BB guns in the park. They usually target wildlife.

Jamie Hill