The children were in Whitby on a school trip

The shots were fired from a window at three nine-year-olds from Scunthorpe while they were walking in Royal Crescent at 2030 BST on Tuesday.

One of them was hit and received minor injuries.

Police from Whitby along with members of the armed response unit sealed off the Royal Crescent area.

Police bail

At 2215 BST, officers entered the house and arrested two 18-year-old men from Birmingham and recovered two ball bearing guns.

The men have been released on police bail.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: "We ran a full firearms operation because we could not be certain we were not facing a real gun.

"It is fortunate no serious injuries were caused."

Parents informed

The children involved in the incident were among a party of 45 pupils and five adults from Brumby Junior School in Scunthorpe.

They are on a week-long educational visit to Whitby which is continuing despite the incident.

The parents of the children have been informed.

A spokesman for North Lincolnshire Council said Brumby school has been visiting Whitby for 10 years.

"The trip had been approved by the education authority and a full risk assessment was carried out," he added.