RESIDENTS URGED TO HAND IN GUNS

GUN owners have been asked to hand in unwanted firearms and ammunition as part of a national amnesty.

The surrender of unwanted, unlicensed or illegal guns, which will run until Sunday, May 29, is coordinated by the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS) and supported by police forces.

Guns and ammunition can be surrendered at two designated police stations in North Staffordshire.

These are:

■ Longton Police Station from Monday to Friday (9am until 5pm);

■ Leek Police Station from May 21-28 (9am-noon).

Those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for the illegal possession at the point of surrender and they can remain anonymous.

However, the history of each live firearm will be checked for evidence of links to crime.