Police are worried about the growing use of BB guns

The boy, who attended Blackfyne Community School in Blackhill, Consett, was expelled after getting the BB gun out of his school bag during a class and allegedly pointing it at two teachers.

A spokesman for County Durham Local Education Authority said weapons would not be tolerated on school premises.

BB guns have been condemned by police forces throughout the country as virtually indistinguishable from real weapons.

Decision welcomed

They fire small ball bearings at high speed.

The LEA spokesman said: "A pupil went in with a gun and pointed it at two teachers.

"The incident went to appeal and an independent panel upheld the decision to expel the pupil.

"It was a very serious offence and we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour."

Union officials have welcomed the decision to expel the pupil.

A spokesman for the National Association of Schoolmasters and Union of Women Teachers, said: "Not expelling the boy would have sent out the wrong message to teaching staff."

The LEA spokesman said the boy's family had been offered a place at another school in the Consett area.