From May, gas-propelled air weapons will be outlawed under anti-social behaviour legislation.

Illegal possession of such weapons could result in a minimum five-year jail term.

Now Durham Police have issued an "amnesty" for owners of potentially illegal weapons.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "The latest restrictions, under Section 39 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act, 2003, apply to the ownership of air weapons that incorporate a self-contained gas cartridge system to fire pellets.

'Criminal fraternity'

"From the start of May any air rifle, air gun or air pistol using self-contained gas cartridges becomes a prohibited weapon and illegal possession will mean a prison sentence of between five and 10 years.

"Existing owners of these weapons will not be prevented from keeping them - although they must apply for a firearms certificate before the beginning of May.

"The new laws already prevent owners from selling or transferring them to registered firearms dealers and they cannot be given away. The only legal method of disposal is to surrender them to the police.

"There is evidence from many parts of the country that the criminal fraternity are converting them into firearms. In appearance they are indistinguishable from the real thing.

"But it is also important to alert those law-abiding citizens to these major changes in legislation to make sure they do not fall foul of the law,"