A teenager has admitted possessing an imitation firearm in public.

Christian Newland, 18, entered guilty pleas to two charges when he appeared at Carlisle Crown Court.

One states that on July 10, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, he had with him in a public place, at Greystoke, a black imitation handgun. On the same date he was also in possession of class B drug cannabis.

Andrew Ford, defending, said when Newland, of Greystoke, was younger he had acquired the plastic gun which "a lad had painted black - not the defendant".

While Mr Ford recognised the current situation "looks bad", he went on: "When one looks beneath the surface, it is a young lad (Newland) being a young lad."

The matter, said the lawyer, had been a "massive wake-up call to his family". "They are in court, they are very concerned," he added.

Judge Barbara Forrester adjourned the case, and directed the probation service to compile a background report with the teen's co-operation.

"I certainly would require more information before being able to sentence him," said Judge Forrester.

Newland was granted unconditional bail, and is due to receive his punishment at the crown court on September 29.