Lethal knives were on sale to buyers as young as 13

Trading Standards officers in North Yorkshire unveiled the findings of their investigation the day after schoolboy Luke Walmsley died of stab wounds inflicted at a Lincolnshire school.

The Offensive Weapons Act 1996 prohibits the sale of knives and blades to under-16s, but some traders, it is claimed, are openly selling such items to youngsters.

The research was prompted by the case of a 15-year-old boy who was found to have a flick knife concealed in a lighter at a North Yorkshire school.

The officers noted how under-age volunteer shoppers as young as 13 were sold lethal weapons.

Weapons bought over the internet Ninja-style throwing knives A 17-inch military hunting knife Two-inch "throat slitter" knife Four-inch "car skinner" knife Razor sharp axes

As part of their research, officers also checked on the availability of bladed weapons on the internet.

North Yorkshire councillor Carl Les, who has responsibility for trading standards, said: "I am greatly concerned at the availability of knives to young people that has been demonstrated by our research.

"All retailers have an absolute obligation to ensure they do everything they can to avoid a young person buying a knife of sharp-bladed implement.

"The range of items obtained by Trading Standards officers over the internet appals me.

"I cannot think of any legitimate or justifiable use for many of the lethal weapons offered for sale."

Home Office figures show more than 2,500 people were convicted of carrying an article with a blade or a point in a public place in 1995 - a figure which rose to 3,570 in the year 2000.

The biggest group of offenders were aged between 10 and 17 years old.