Police were overwhelmed with the number of firearms handed in

Nearly 2,000 weapons were handed into police stations across Sussex during the national gun amnesty.

Police said more than half of the overall figure were surrendered in the final week of the month-long amnesty which ended on 30 April.

Of the 1997 firearms handed in, 286 of them were prohibited weapons such as handguns.

The force said it has also received 32,702 rounds of ammunition.

The amnesty was held just before new gun legislation was brought in.

Assistant Chief Constable Geoff Williams said: "A significant number of weapons were surrendered in the last week.

"Sussex Police has been impressed by the response from the public and their obvious support for the amnesty.

"The public has heeded the warnings from the police to surrender firearms before new legislation is introduced.

"However, now the amnesty is over the force will continue to accept firearms and shotguns.

"People can go to the nearest police station and explain the circumstances that they came into possession of the firearm.

"In many cases these are found as a result of house clearances when members of the family pass away."

The firearms which have been handed in will now be inspected and some may be forensically examined.

The remaining weapons will be sent to a foundry where they will be melted down and made into steel reinforcement rods for the construction industry.