The Russian President, Boris Yeltsin, has congratulated the designer of one of the world's most famous weapons, Mikhail Kalashnikov, on his eightieth birthday.

Mr Yeltsin said that the name of Mr Kalashnikov -- the inventor of the AK 47 assault rifle -- had become a symbol of Russia's strength and security.

Since it was first produced in 1947 more than fifty-million have been made in Russia, with China and several Eastern European countries manufacturing their own versions of the gun.

Mr Kalashnikov, who in his time has received some of Russia's highest awards, still works as a weapons designer.