Tasers are being rolled out across the country following a successful trial by Kent Police.

The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has announced funding for up to 10,000 new stun guns for every police force in England and Wales.

The guns, which deliver a 50,000 volt electrical charge, have been available to trained officers in the county since October 10 2005.

Tasers, which are shaped and used like a pistol, deliver an instant charge that is designed to incapacitate, rather than cause serious injury.

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Previously, only dedicated firearms officers have been able to operate them, but they will now become available to other officers too.

The spokesman on Tasers for The Association of Chief Police Officers Derek Talbot has welcomed the move.

He said: "The trial showed that in over 80 percent of incidents where Taser was used the situation was resolved without recourse to discharge the weapon. This reinforces the value of Taser as a useful tool to make the pubic and officers safer and to resolve potentially violent situations effectively and rapidly."