THE family of a teenager who nearly lost an eye when he was hit by an air rifle pellet are backing moves to curb the weapons.

An inch or two lower and Darren Temple, 16, of Seaham, County Durham, could have lost his right eye, but the pellet lodged above his eyebrow.

Doctors at Sunderland Royal Hospital decided against removing the pellet and will wait for it to fall out naturally.

Now his parents are supporting Government proposals for tougher controls on air guns.

Darren, of The Avenue, Deneside, was playing tennis with friends in Seaham Town Park on Tuesday afternoon. "We heard some shots hitting the tennis net posts and started to move away," he said. "I jumped over the fence and landed on the floor and I felt what I thought was a stone hit my head. The next thing I knew, blood was pouring."

Darren's father, Richard, said: "It is quite horrifying to think what could have happened.

"These youths don't realise what could have happened. They must have been using a high-powered air rifle because none of the lads could see them.

"There certainly should be some sort of licence for these weapons and a register of owners. Something should be done."

Acting Inspector Darren Ellis, of Seaham police, said that Darren's attackers had been "extremely foolish.

"This misuse of air weapons is a problem from time to time in the town, but in the past incidents have been confined mainly to street lights being shot out.

"We have had no problems in the park before, either, and I would urge anyone with any information to come forward."

Seaham Police can be contacted on 0191-581 2255.