A farmer has been fined for not locking up his shotgun and ammunition.

David Doe admitted failing to comply with the conditions of his gun licence when he appeared before Worcester magistrates.

The court heard that police found a 10-calibre gun and 50 cartridges in his mobile home on his 14-acre small holding.

"Officers seized the gun and went to another address that he uses and seized two more guns," said Mark Soper, prosecuting.

"His son, who is four years old, was there. It is not particularly safe to leave a gun lying around where there are children about."

Andrew Childs, defending, told magistrates that 43-year-old Doe owned three shotguns and the regulations stated that they should be held together in a locked cabinet. Two of them were locked in a cupboard at his partner's house.

"He raises pheasant chicks and has had problems with foxes. The night before the police came round he had taken his shotgun with him when he went to stay at the farm.

"He should have returned it to his permanent address with his partner in Ombersley," he said.

"The gun was not loaded and was concealed out of site. He doesn't feel that his son would have been in danger," Mr Childs added.

Doe, of Cornshire Fields Farm, Elmbridge Lane, Elmbridge, near Droitwich, was fined £100 and was ordered to pay £35 court costs.