Staffordshire Police is appealing to the public to hand in any unwanted, unlicensed or illegal guns during a surrender of firearms and ammunition.

A surrender is being held at Leek Police Station on Fountain Street for two days this month.

On Saturday 21st May and Saturday 28th May, people will be able to hand in any illegal guns without having to worry about being prosecuted.

The surrender will run from 9am - 12pm on both days.

A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: "Many firearms are held in ignorance of their illegality or are overlooked and forgotten in people's homes. Some firearms are held legally and are no longer required. Other firearms are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to harm, threaten and intimidate their local communities.

"The surrender gives people the chance to hand in firearms and ammunition by simply taking them safely to a local police station and handing them over.

"During the two-week period, 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 its use in crime."

Firearms and Explosives Licensing Manager, Jon Cumberbatch added: "Surrendering unwanted, unlicensed firearms and ammunition avoids the risk of them becoming involved in criminality and means that members of the community can dispose of firearms in a safe place.

"Weapons must be transported to the police station in the safest possible way that does not cause alarm to others. If you would like further information or are unable to travel please call 101 or message Staffordshire Police on Facebook or Twitter for advice.

"Firearms incidents continue to be low in Staffordshire and to ensure that it doesn't become prevalent in the future, we are working with partners and local communities to safeguard, educate and intervene at the earliest opportunity. Every gun given up is one fewer that criminals could use."

If you know of people involved in illegal firearms call police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.