A SHAMED shopkeeper apologised last night after being featured in a BBC documentary selling a 16-inch hunting knife to a schoolboy.

Salesman Khalile Maqsood said he was upset and alarmed after being caught by the BBC's undercover Inside Out programme selling the £20 knife to a 14-year-old schoolboy. The legal age is 16.

The 24-year-old, who works at The Gift Centre in Stockton's High Street, said he believed the boy was at least 16, and said he had asked for identification, but none had been forthcoming.

He said he felt he had been trapped by the programme-makers and felt so upset by the ordeal, all knives and weapons had now been taken off the shelves.

The BBC programme followed a weapons amnesty by Cleveland Police last year, and carried out test purchases at stores across the area, using people under 16.

A secret camera was used to film Mr Maqsood handing a hunting knife to the underage boy.

"The lad they sent into the shop must have been 6ft 2in tall. I am big, but he was bigger than me," said Mr Maqsood.

"I did ask for ID, but he just smirked and assured me he was over 16.

"When I found out it was for a TV programme a few days later, I was very upset. I went straight to the police and trading standards officers.

"I apologise if I made a mistake, but I had no idea. I have already taken the knives off the display."

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said officers were waiting for the BBC to send a copy of the footage to them, so they could view it themselves.

Stockton Borough Council said it hoped all retailers understood the ramifications of selling imitation weapons and memorabilia.