AN ANGRY mother of a seven-year-old boy shot in the face with a BB gun has hit out at yobs who have been terrorising innocent villagers.Lorna Palmer's son, Joshua, was struck in his nose by a plastic pellet as he stood talking to a friend on his doorstep – leaving him with a bloody nose.

AN ANGRY mother of a seven-year-old boy shot in the face with a BB gun has hit out at yobs who have been terrorising innocent villagers.

Lorna Palmer's son, Joshua, was struck in his nose by a plastic pellet as he stood talking to a friend on his doorstep – leaving him with a bloody nose.

Yesterday, Ms Palmer, 36, of West Bergholt near Colchester, said it was lucky her son had not lost his eye from the shot.

The reckless attack shortly before 9pm on Monday was one of a series of recent BB gun shootings which have affected the residents in the area.

The youngster escaped with a bloody nose but has been left "frightened and shocked" and now Ms Palmer said she only feels safe when he plays in the back garden.

She said: "He opened the door to speak to his mate and while he was there he was hit by the BB gun's pellet.

"All we heard was a scream and then he was pouring with blood.

"If it had hit him in the eye he would have been blinded. It has been a real problem round here because a lot of the teenage boys have got BB guns. My neighbour's daughter was shot by one and then my friend's 16-year-old daughter was also hit."

Ms Palmer's partner, Nick King, 36, said the situation with the BB guns was "getting out of control".

He said: "We are getting fed up with it. All the children are having to play in the back garden – it is spoiling our quality of life and we want to get out of here - there is no respect for you, only abuse."

John Gili-Ross , chairman of West Bergholt Parish Council, said the council would be raising the BB guns issue when it meets with the community police officer for the village.

Colin Stiff, the crime reduction officer for Colchester police, said the incident was being investigated.

He said: "We are very concerned about the use of these sorts of guns and the potential there is for serious injury.

"It is an ongoing problem in the area with youths playing with BB guns. We are making further investigations into the incident which is classed as an assault.

"The guns are not subject to the firearms act and are readily available. We would ask parents who know their children have the guns to make sure they are not used in a malicious way."