OVER 50 illegally held knives have been collected over the last week as part of an amnesty scheme.

Police in Burnley have a 'knife bin' installed in the town centre where people can deposit knives which are then disposed of by officers.

The knives will now be destroyed, however a number of unexpected items where also found in the bin.

A police spokesperson said: "Town centre officers have emptied the knife bin this week finding some items that are a bit different from our usual cache.

"We've recovered 52 knives which will be destroyed, this is part of our knife amnesty scheme.

"A bag of pasta is one that we think just doesn't make the cut.

"An E-cigarette that's just not sharp enough for this bin.

"A metal cable which doesn't scratch the surface, and an empty can of lager which is just rubbish but can be chopped up to recycle.

"This bin is for knives and has been placed in Burnley to get these dangerous items off your streets, use it correctly."

Anyone concerned about knife crime can sign up to Lancashire Talking at https://www.stayintheknow.co.uk/.