Staffordshire Police has announced a month-long amnesty on five types of blank-firing guns.

The police force explained that the national amnesty, running from Monday 2 to 27 February, applies to five specific types of Turkish manufactured top-venting blank firearms (TVBF).

They are urging owners of these guns to hand them in at station front counters.

During the amnesty period, those surrendering one of the five TVBF models will not face prosecution for the illegal possession, and they can remain anonymous.

Anyone found in possession of these types of TVBF after the amnesty could face prosecution.

The models are:

• 8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model 92 blank firing self-loading pistol
• 8mm PAK Bruni BBM New Police blank firing self-loading pistol
• 8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model 96 blank firing self-loading pistol
• 8mm PAK Bruni BBM Model 'GAP' blank firing self-loading pistol
• .380R (9mmK) PAK Bruni BBM ME Ranger single-action blank firing revolver

Anyone handing in a firearm is advised to only visit the dedicated police stations: listed.

• Burton Police Station, Horninglow Street, Burton-on-Trent, DE14 1PA
• Cannock Police Station, Wolverhampton Road, Cannock, WS11 1AW
• Longton Police Station, Sutherland Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent ST3 1HH

All three station will be open between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

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They cannot be handed in at the Staffordshire Police headquarters in Stafford.

Superintendent Mat Derrick, head of operations, said: "This will remove potential future firearms from circulation, whilst allowing those who legally purchased them to hand them in without prosecution for a limited time.

"We are fully committed to robustly investigating anything believed to be linked to major and organised crime.

"This amnesty does not affect the firearms held by licenced firearms holders."

TVBFs are legal to buy in the UK without a licence by over-18s unless they are readily convertible.

In their original state they have a blocked barrel and are designed to discharge only blank cartridges.

When discharged, combustion gases vent from the top of the weapon.