ARMED police were called to Clitheroe last night following reports of a discarded handgun on land by railway lines.

British Transport Police, assisted by Lancashire Police firearm officers, attended the scene and discovered the item was a toy gun.

A spokesman for British Transport Police Lancashire Tweeted: “We were called to Clitheroe after a passerby reported seeing a discarded handgun on land by railway lines. We were assisted @LancsARV in safely recovering a toy from near the tracks.

“The good burghers of the RibbleValley can sleep safe tonight knowing the litter problem is under control.”