More than 20 imitation guns were seized by plain-clothed police officers after being found for sale at a popular Black Country weekend market.

Harbjan Singh was found with 23 of the soft air pistols at his Walsall stall with further checks revealing he had three more at home.

The 54-year-old was also found with a .22 air rifle at his pitch when police swooped during March, Walsall Magistrates Court was told yesterday.

Mr Colin Heald, prosecuting at the hearing, said that the guns, which carried no specific value, were capable of shooting small pellets and beared a resemblance to real weapons.

He said police were involved in a plain-clothed operation at the Bescot Market market on March 9 when they checked the stall, which was selling items such as exercise equipment.

“At the rear of the stall there were imitation firearms on display all in boxes and available for inspection,” he said.

“They could be perceived as real,” said Mr Heald.

He added Singh claimed that the air rifle was not for sale and was to be taken home for display.

Singh pleaded guilty to charges of possessing imitation firearms and air weapon in public places with the forfeit and destruction of the items ordered.

Mr Indy Bhomra, defending, said Singh, of Kilmorie Road, Acocks Green, Birmingham, had bought the guns from another trader and presumed they could be sold on. He added they were low-powered, designed as toys and were mainly plastic. Mr Bhomra insisted they could not be converted into real firearms.

Magistrates sentenced Singh to 120 hours community work after accepting the guns were not dangerous to the public, but would seem like a proper gun if someone was threatened.

He was also ordered to pay £60 court costs.

The market is run by LSD Promotions Limited and is held on the Walsall Football Club car park each Sunday.

It is not the first time checks have been carried out on stalls.

Last December police and trading standards officers seized up to a thousand items of fake designer gear. The goods beared brand names such as Nike, Timberland and Lacoste.