VALE of York MP Anne McIntosh has been rewarded with a high-profile foreign affairs post as Tory leader Michael Howard completed his post-election reshuffle.

Miss McIntosh was promoted from her position as an environment spokeswoman to work under likely leadership contender Liam Fox, the new shadow foreign secretary.

She told the Evening Press she was "absolutely delighted" with her promotion, secured after impressing Tory leaders with her record of taking the Government to task on green issues.

Her portfolio, which she hopes will include trade issues between Britain,

Europe and the US, will be finalised at a meeting with Mr Fox on Monday.

Meanwhile, Miss McIntosh was today highlighting the dangers of ball bearing guns and urging the Home Secretary to ban sales to the public.

She said Charles Clarke should launch a consultation on BB guns, with a view to banning their general sale.

Miss McIntosh said she was raising the concerns of those injured by the realistic-looking replica weapons.

"While a ban would be an extreme measure, I encourage the Home Secretary to consult widely on a possible ban on the public sale of BB guns, in order to obtain wide-ranging views from the police, industry experts and the general public."

Updated: 09:44 Thursday, May 12, 2005