PEOPLE in Bury are already laying down their arms as part of the national firearms amnesty.

As part of the campaign, launched last week, two shotguns have already been handed in at Bury police station and an air rifle at Radcliffe station, which police in the town have described as "an encouraging start".

All stations in the Bury area will take firearms from the public. If explosives are handed in, all stations have facilities to accept them, with the exception of Prestwich.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have joined the national firearms amnesty in the fight to rid the streets of illegal guns. The scheme will give gun owners until April 30 to surrender weapons and ammunition at police stations without fear of prosecution for unlawful possession. And it is also an opportunity to surrender lawfully-held weapons that people no longer wish to own.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Green said: "Guns can be handed in anonymously as there is no obligation for people to give names. The amnesty is about making the streets safer. We want guns to be given up so they do not fall into the wrong hands."

GMP is also eager for people to hand in air guns and replica weapons as there is a growing concern about the misuse of imitation guns and low-powered air weapons.

Home Office figures show that in 80 per cent of crimes involving a handgun, it is likely that an imitation firearm may have been used.

The last national firearms amnesty was in June 1996. Approximately 40 of the 500 firearms surrendered to GMP were handed in from the Bury area.

The maximum penalty for illegally possessing a gun or ammunition is up to ten years in prison or a fine, or both. And after the amnesty, the Government will also be introducing new sentences and laws for a number of firearms-related offences.

Anyone in possession of an illegal firearm will receive at least five years in prison. It will also be an offence to possess an imitation firearm or airgun in a public place without legal authority or a reasonable excuse.

And as part of the drive, boxing promoter Frank Warren will be offering tickets for guns during the amnesty. When someone hands a gun in at one of the stations in Greater Manchester, they will be given a receipt, which they will then be able to exchange for a ticket to certain boxing matches taking place across the country.

Gun owners who cannot get to a police station should call 0161 856 3385, and not dial 999.