SCISSORS, guns and even a set of maracas were brandished by pupils as weapons in schools over the past two years, research has revealed.

The number of incidents involving a weapon increased slightly last year, up to 181 from 174 in 2012/13.

Dangerous items confiscated after pupils either used or threatened to use them included pen knives, stones, pool cues, a hack saw and a tree branch.

The figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through Freedom of Information also included a range of bizarre items.

They included an electric shock lighter, a bamboo cane, a jumbo magnet, pieces of Lego, and "a selection of Mr Men toys".

Some of the items were confiscated in nurseries and from primary one pupils, while more of the serious weapons were removed from youngsters up to the age of 17.

And with some councils not holding the exact information, the true figure is likely to be even higher.

Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman Mary Scanlon said: "This is a shocking list of weapons, ranging from the very dangerous to the ridiculous.

"Parents will be extremely concerned to read some of the examples set out here, not least those weapons that can cause serious and even fatal injury.

"Teachers should not have to work in this kind of environment, and many of these incidents will have been disruptive not just to individual pupils, but entire classrooms.

"We need to make sure those capable of getting their hands on such dangerous items are taken out the classroom for the safety and welfare of other children who just want to learn.

"I hope the Scottish Government keeps a close eye on these examples and ensures the trend begins to move downwards in future years."

A number of local authorities, including Glasgow City Council and South Lanarkshire, refused the request for information while others were unable to provide details.

However, of the councils which did, Aberdeen City topped the list with 112 items confiscated from pupils in 2013/14 compared to 87 the previous year. These included a tree branch and a large plank of wood with a nail on it.

In Angus, two primary five pupils were caught carrying knives, while in Fife - which recorded 12 weapons incidents this year - the items confiscated included a hacksaw, laser pen and a BB gun.

In the Scottish Borders, a 12-year-old pupil was found with a scalpel blade while in Dundee an electric shock lighter and a metal pole were taken from pupils.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We are committed to educating young people on the dangers and consequences of carrying dangerous weapons, and have invested heavily in various violence reduction measures with young people across Scotland through schools, stakeholders and local authorities.

"This includes the delivery of educational programmes such as No Knives Better Lives, Medics Against Violence and Mentors in Violence Prevention, all of which aim to educate young people on the dangers and consequences of getting involved in violence and which help shape positive attitudes and life choices.

"Our general approach in terms of tackling violent crime is working, and this is in evidence through recent statistics showing that violent crime decreased by 10 per cent between 2012-13 and 2013-14 and is now at its lowest level for 40 years."