OWNERS of handguns are being invited to surrender their arms at Lancashire Constabulary's Hutton Headquarters near Preston.

The move follows the Firearms Amendment Act 1997 which bans ownership of the high calibre weapons.

And in anticipation of the bill currently before Parliament, anyone who hands over a .22 handgun will receive an ex-gracia payment.

Lancashire's assistant chief constable John Vine said: "The police service as a whole has welcomed the ban on certain weapons but it must be remembered that we are merely acting as the agent for the Home office so far as this phased surrender is concerned.

"We appreciate there are a great many responsible people holding firearms certificates but this enforcement is necessary to comply with new legislation."

Lancashire has some 2,200 licensed high calibre handguns in circulation plus 950 smaller weapons.

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