THESE three boys are captured on camera sauntering through Macclesfield town centre, one with his hands in his pockets, and the other two carrying what police fear may be guns.

The teenagers, aged about 13 to 16-years-old, have turned down a driveway just off Mill Street.

It is 6.40pm on a Wednesday evening in late September - a season when most youngsters are wielding conkers. As they walk down Palace Yard they are unaware they are being filmed on CCTV.

Last night (Tuesday) police bosses who are appealing for help to find the trio put out a stark warning that the youths had run the risk of being targeted by the specialised armed response team.

Inspector Gary Simpson, head of Macclesfield's Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said the guns were "likely" to be BB guns but he said armed police could easily have been scrambled to the scene - with potentially fatal consequences.

He said: "We are appealing for anyone who knows these boys to come forward and let us know who or where they are - as much for their safety as for the public's.

"If police receive an immediate report that someone is seen carrying a gun the usual response is to call out armed officers. Those officers may then find themselves facing what appears to be a firearm and they may ultimately have to make a decision whether to open fire."

Meanwhile, police and local MP Sir Nicholas Winterton praised the actions of local businessman, professional photographer Brian Ollier who captured the footage on his CCTV cameras.

But he hasn't heard from the police since he handed over the tape three weeks ago in his normal public-spirited fashion.

He was horrified by the footage he saw on the spy cameras located at his business premises and wondered what the youngsters were doing. But he still hasn't heard a word.

He said: " I still haven't heard anything but I don't blame the police - I blame red tape and the system.

"I know that the council wipes its CCTV after a month so they need to get moving. They should be able to follow a trail from Mill Street to wherever the boys went next."

Insp Simpson insisted the video tape had been carefully studied and the images circulated during the early stages of the investigation and that police would update Mr Ollier in the event of a "significant" development.

Dad-of-three Brian Ollier estimates his CCTV system has led to more than 40 arrests.

The three children are filmed unaware that even possessing a replica handgun in public carries a penalty of up to three months jail. They also appear unaware of the danger they may have placed themselves in.

Macclesfield MP Sir Nicholas Winterton praised Brian's good citizenship in yet again drawing the antics of yobs to the attention of the authorities.

He said: "If a responsible individual like Brian Ollier, who has a record of community responsibility and is a responsible citizen and local businessman, brings something like this to the police's attention I believe they are obligated to respond quickly and effectively and keep them informed.

"If people are in public swaggering around with weapons, clearly it is behaviour that needs to be stopped and deterred and the police should find, interview and detain them.

"If these are not replicas then this becomes an even more serious matter."

Inspector Simpson said CCTV operators had checked town centre footage and the three teenagers do not appear on it.

He said: "The investigation to trace these young men is very much an active one.

"As soon as we had the CCTV footage, copies of the picture were circulated to local officers and we are now trying various avenues to try to identify them.

"Mr Ollier acted in a public-spirited way and we would always encourage everyone to do that.

"We have a duty to keep him updated and as soon as we have something significant to report we will get back to him."

Do you know who these youths are? Call Cheshire police on 0845 4580000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.