MP Tom Watson joins camapign against machetes at market

Machete knives with 18-inch blades are on sale at a Black Country market, prompting calls for them to be banned.

Neighbourhood watch co-ordinator Roy Jones, aged 66, said he was concerned people may use them in violent attacks.

But bosses of the Sunday markets at Walsall Football Club's Bescot Stadium say the blades are only sold to legitimate customers and that rigorous tests were carried out to make sure they did not fall into the wrong hands.

Mr Jones, of Larchwood Road, is vice chairman of the Yew Tree and Tameside Residents Group in Sandwell.

He has enlisted the help of West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson in his campaign. Mr Jones said: "There's no reason for the vast majority of people to have machetes.

"You would expect a few people such as gardeners to need them but that is it."

Mr Watson said: "People will be shocked that these extremely dangerous and impractical knives are on sale at Bescot Market. I applaud Mr Jones for his campaign. I urge the directors of Walsall Football Club to listen to his concerns by ensuring these dangerous wea- pons are withdrawn from sale."

The market is billed as the busiest in the Midlands and is run by LSD Promotions, based at Market Street in Stourbridge.

Director Dermot McGillic-uddy said: "There are two stalls selling knives out of more than 200 on the market. These are legitimate tools for gardeners and fishermen.

"Trading Standards carry out checks by sending in young people to try to buy them and the stall holders have always passed with flying colours. They have been in this business for years and they are very responsible. If Mr Watson feels so strongly then perhaps he should raise the matter in Parliament and get the law changed so that it is illegal to sell."