The Gun Control Network said allowing children to use powerful weapons, such as shotguns, is “absurd” and warned that weapon security cannot be guaranteed with youngsters.

The Daily Mail reports that England cricket legend Lord Botham has backed a rural partnership of nine organisations, including the Countryside Alliance, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and the British Game Alliance, called Aim to Sustain.

Dozens of children in Lancashire have been authorised to use guns, new figures show.

More than 80 children in Surrey are authorised to use guns, figures show.

Dozensof children in North Wales are authorised to use guns, figures show.

Gun owners’ groups urge caution after names and addresses of 100,000 customers stolen from popular gun site and post details to hackers’ forum.