LANCASHIRE police today revealed 95 firearms had been handed over during the first week of the national amnesty -- including a World War II artillery shell.

More than 2,000 pieces of ammunition have also been dropped in at the county's police stations along with 29 other weapons, such as knives and blunt instruments.

Of the 95 firearms, ten were prohibited weapons like revolvers. The rest were firearms for which licences are required, including shotguns, air rifles and air pistols.

Police had to arrange a special collection for the three-foot long artillery shell from a home in Burnley. A man handed it in after inheriting from his father, who brought the item back from the war, following his death in 1996.

Sgt Craig Illingworth, who took the phone call about the shell, said: "It was just the shell so it wasn't live.

"He thought 'I've had it 1996 and it's time for it to go' and it was a chance to use the amnesty to dispose of it properly."

Supt Clive Tattum added: "The results are extremely heartening. One week into the amnesty we have had nearly 100 firearms handed in. These weapons are off the streets where they cannot fall into the hands of criminals. All weapons and ammunition will be destroyed at the end of the four-week amnesty.

"We still encourage people to hand any weapons to police as part of this amnesty which runs until April 30."

The amnesty comes before a minimum five-year jail sentence for illegal possession of prohibited firearms comes into force. According to the Home Office, the number of firearm offences almost doubled from 59 to 103 in Lancashire last year, one of the biggest increases in the country.

Anyone wanting information should call a special helpline between 8am and 8pm, Monday-Saturday, on 01772 413631.