A suspect is paralysed for a matter of seconds

North Wales Police will trial the controversial M26 Taser gun, which is intended to provide a non-lethal alternative to firearms, for a year.

The gun fires two darts connected to electric cable into the target before a 50,000 volt charge knocks the suspect out.

The north Wales force joins the Metropolitan Police and forces in Thames Valley, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire in testing the weapon.

It's a piece of equipment that police have needed in their armoury for a long time John O'Connor

Former Chief Superintendent of South Wales Police Gerry Toms said the Taser would give police a greater range of options when dealing with a dangerous suspect.

He said: "They've been used in the USA for about 20 years very effectively.

"There is a gap in the police arsenal and officers are often called to deal with violent or armed people and the only choice they've got is either a baton or CS gas or, at the other end of the scale, a gun.

HOW TASERS WORK A laser helps target victims up to 21 feet away Compressed air is used to fire at 180 feet per second Two needle-tipped darts trail electric cable back to the handset A five-second 50,000-volt charge is released down the cable The suspect's muscles contract uncontrollably, causing temporary paralysis The victim is left with two small marks.

"If you use a firearm then invariably death or serious injury will result.

"At the end of the day, people will be safer.

"People will be arrested using minimum force and that's what this (trial) is all about."

Mr Toms added that he believed north Wales was chosen as a trial area to ensure an even spread of rural and urban forces involved in the tests.

Former commander of the flying squad John O'Connor told BBC Radio Wales that he believed the introduction of stun guns was overdue.

"It's a piece of equipment that police have needed in their armoury for a long time," he added.

Bill Brereton: 'We need other weapons.'

"They need something other than the lethal option.

"But I think it's fairly unlikely that any of the forces chosen will find an opportunity to use any of these weapons (during the trial period) because the circumstances are quite tight."

Amnesty International has criticised the introduction of stun guns saying that Tasers inflict "intolerable pain" and are easily abused.

Manufacturers, Arizona-based Taser International, have warned they can cause eye injuries when fired towards the face.

Amnesty says the full effects have never been independently tested.