Boy, 11, among children with gun licences in Norfolk

Farming and the popularity of rural pursuits means the county has the second highest number of people licensed to own a shotgun per 100,000 people in England and Wales, behind only Dyfed-Powys.

Among them are 54 under-18s with shotgun or other firearms licences, five of who were aged 13 or under, according to Home Office figures.

Dozens of under-16s hold shotgun licences but the rules surrounding them are tough (Image: BASC)

At the other end of the age scale, 78 people over 90 hold a shotgun licence, the oldest of which was 97.

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In total, the number of both shotgun and firearm certificates held in the county fell in the year ending March 2023 after the introduction of tougher GP rules to prevent anyone deemed medically unfit from owning a gun.

There were 19,447 shotgun certificate holders and 5,160 licensed for other firearms in Norfolk. Some people hold licences for both.

Firearms covered include 59,168 shotguns, 11,850 rifles and 355 handguns.

Norfolk police refused 10 shotgun certificate applications and revoked 31 firearms licences while 11 guns were reported either lost or stolen.