Perry blasted for posing with knife

Anti-knife campaigners have hit out at popstar Katy Perry for posing with a blade for a publicity shot.

The 'I Kissed A Girl' singer was branded "out of her mind" for glamorising knives, reports The Telegraph.

Perry's "edgy" publicity photograph emerged following the death of 16-year-old army cadet Joey Lappin, who was stabbed in Liverpool and died from his injuries. Police said the youngster, who lived with his family in Old Swan, had been "attacked without provocation".

The photograph shows the 23-year-old singer clasping a three-inch flick knife. Richard Taylor, 59, the father of Damilola Taylor, said: "This woman's behaviour is unacceptable. She must be out of her mind to pose for a picture like this. There is nothing glamorous about knives - they wreck families."

Sources said the picture was taken by Terry Richardson for Perry's new LP One Of The Boys, but has not been selected for use.

Perry will be in Liverpool next month to host the MTV Europe Music Awards.