Guns, ammunition and knives have been taken into Kent schools by children, new police figures reveal.

Figures from the county's force show 11 primary and secondary school pupils have been caught with a weapon in the three years to 2013.

The youngest was aged just 10, according to latest figures released under the Freedom of Information Act.

They revealed an imitation firearm, replica BB gun, three knives and ammunition have all been confiscated from classrooms in the county since 2011.

Across Britain, nearly a thousand pupils - 80 of them under 11 - were caught with weapons during the same period.

But anti-gun campaigner Nick Mason does not believe airport-style security checks are the answer.

He said: "They use them to some good effect in places like America, but over here the culture is different and you don't expect to be stopped and searched on a regular basis going into and out of school.

"And I think we need to recognise that the majority of schools are incredibly safe learning environments."

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police enjoys excellent working relationships with the 450 primary schools and 100 secondary schools in the county through its school liaison officers and partner agencies and through a combination of education and enforcement, and as these figures show, incidents involving weapons amongst the 200,000 school pupils in Kent are very rare."

Stories you might have missed

Pub blasted for banning 'offensive' St George's Day flag

Pervert jailed after grooming girl, 13, for sex

Woman dies after collapsing in street

Inquest opens into death of driver on M20 hard shoulder