A COLLECTION of firearms including a three foot world war shell have been handed in to police stations in the Pennine Division as part of the nationwide firearms amnesty.

Residents are being urged to continue surrendering their firearms during the ongoing campaign to make the streets safer and free fr om dangerous weapons.

The National Guns Amnesty runs until April 30 and people are being encouraged to hand in air weapons and imitation guns, often used in crimes in the area, and they are being assured that they will be immune to prosecution.

This campaign by police constabularies across the country is the last chance for people to get rid of the weapons before the introduction of a minimum five-year jail sentence for illegal possession of prohibited firearms.

The Government also intends to introduce new laws banning the carrying of imitation guns or air weapons in a public place.

The Home Office has confirmed that the number of firearm offences in Lancashire last year almost doubled from 59 to 103 which is one of the biggest increases in the country.