NEARLY 800 guns and more than 15,000 rounds of ammunition have been surrendered to West Mercia police during the month-long gun amnesty.

In north Worcestershire, including Redditch, 45 banned weapons, including self-loading handguns and rifles, revolvers, shotguns and single-shot pistols were given in.

As well as the banned guns, 58 non-prohibited rifles and shotguns, 73 air rifles and pistols, 78 imitation firearms, including non-firing, blank firing and airsoft guns and 63 other weapons including knives and one hand grenade, were also handed in.

More than 5,000 items of ammunition were also surrendered.

The weapons will now be destroyed at secure locations around the country.

The Government has announced its intention to introduce a mandatory, five-year minimum sentence for possession of an illegal firearm and will also be bringing in new restrictions on carrying imitation firearms and air weapons in a public place.