Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says 430 weapons and 2,500 rounds of ammunition were handed in during their Gun Hand In' amnesty, last month.

Thirteen weapons - including a BB gun, replica guns, air pistols and rifles - were dropped off at police stations in Trafford.

The initiative is part of an ongoing campaign to reduce the level of firearms crime; seven people were killed in Greater Manchester during 2004/5 while a further 64 people were seriously wounded.

Assistant Chief Constable Dave Jones said: "These types of weapons can seriously injure people, cause damage to property or, particularly in the case of replicas, look so much like the real thing, they can terrorise individuals and communities.

"We are really pleased with the response to this campaign. What has been most encouraging is the type and variety of weapons handed in, which has included 44 real guns.

"From the outset of this campaign we always said that if we only had one gun handed in, then it would be a success. It would be one less that could be used in a crime or could injure or even take another innocent young life."

Apart from weapons of historic interest or those that officers believe may have been used in a crime, the firearms and ammunition recovered during the hand in period will be destroyed.

The Government has also introduced tough sentences and laws for a number of firearms-related offences - the maximum penalty for illegally possessing a gun or ammunition is a mandatory minimum ten-year sentence.

It is also an offence to possess in imitation firearm or air gun in a public place without legal authority or reasonable excuse.