A FIREARMS amnesty is to be held in Greater Manchester next month as part of a new initiative to tackle gun crime.

Holders of replica and air weapons are also being invited to hand them in.

Local police have welcomed the new national firearms amnesty as part of a range of Government measures, which will include the introduction of a minimum five-year jail term for armed offenders.

The amnesty aims to encourage people to surrender illegal guns, replica and air weapons at all police stations from March 31 to April 30, with no questions asked.

Deputy Chief Constable David McCrone, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "The amnesty will serve to reduce the availability of firearms of all descriptions, which in turn will result in lives being saved, prevent injuries occurring and spare members of the public the trauma of being threatened with a firearm.

"People will be able to surrender such weapons at their local police station with no requirement to give their name or address."

He added: "The new legislation will make it an arrestable offence to possess a replica firearm or air weapon in a public place without reasonable excuse or lawful authority, while there will be a minimum five year sentence for the illegal possession of a firearm."