A FIREARMS amnesty in Bolton has gained pace as even more weapons were handed over in the second week.

Since last weekend, three pistols, one revolver, three air weapons, two rifles, one replica pistol, two ballbearing guns and two shotguns have been surrendered.

More than 500 rounds of ammunition and 23 shotgun cartridges have also handed in.

Police chiefs are delighted at the number of people taking advantage of the month-long amnesty.

And they have encouraged more members of the public to hand over their weapons without fear of prosecution. Det Insp Andy Aston, who is co-ordinating the Bolton amnesty, said: "The amnesty seems to be taking affect now and people are taking advantage of the chance to hand over their weapons without fear of prosecution."

He added: "Now, I would ask people who haven't already checked to look in their homes, especially their lofts and sheds, to see if they have any weapons.

"Hand them in to any police station and you don't even have to give your name. Take advantage of the two remaining weeks."

In the first week of the amnesty, eight weapons were surrendered to Bolton police, including a rifle, a shotgun, three air rifles, two air pistols and an imitation gun.

Two empty magazines and two boxes of blank ammunition were also passed to officers.

The national firearms amnesty was launched by Marcia Shakespeare and Beverley Thomas whose teenage daughters died after a firearms incident in Birmingham at a New Year party.