A retired policeman, whose son died in a shooting accident in north Wales last summer, has called for an investigation into air rifle safety.

An inquest in Wrexham on Wednesday heard that the rifle which fatally injured George Atkinson, from Pontblyddin, near Mold, had a faulty safety catch.

But his father John Atkinson, 39, a retired CID officer, said his family was not seeking a ban on air weapons.

George had been placed on a life support machine at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, where his mother June Atkinson works as a nurse.

The schoolboy was understood to have been shot in the neck with an airgun while out playing with another boy aged 11.

At the time of the accident, Mr Atkinson said he knew there was an airgun in the house and George had earlier told friends he was having 'the best day of his life'.

'No blame'

He said he did not wish to blame anyone for the accident.

Mr Atkinson also disclosed how he and his wife, Jane, 38, had decided to donate their son's organs.

The inquest heard that George's skull was very thin at the temple where he was hit.

Forensic tests revealed that the gun had a very light trigger and a faulty safety catch.

His father John said the evidence had raised safety concerns.

But Mr Atkinson stressed that the family did not support a total ban on air weapons and called for them to be stored responsibly.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.