More than 700 guns were handed in to police

More guns have been handed into West Midlands Police than anywhere outside London.

The news comes on the final day of a month-long gun amnesty launched by the mothers of Charlene Ellis and Letisha Shakespeare.

The teenagers were shot dead outside a New Year party in Birmingham.

More than 700 guns, some similar to the automatic weapons used in Charlene and Letisha's murders, and 10,000 rounds of ammunition have been handed in anonymously across the West Midlands region.

'Lives saved'

Among some of the more unusual items the force has received include a rocket launcher, a three foot home-made cannon and a gun fashioned from a walking stick.

Detective superintendent John Hesketh said he was "delighted" with the results of the amnesty.

Referring to the amount of ammunition handed in, he said: "Some might say that is 10,000 lives saved if every bullet has a name on it."

But he warned the amnesty was only part of what the force was trying to achieve added police needed to continue working with communities and manufacturers of firearms.

Mr Hesketh welcomed recent government moves to take blank-firing guns off the streets, which he said was a particular problem in the region.

But those involved in persuading young people to give up their guns say more time is needed.

Along with tough measures, they say an exit strategy is also needed to offer those involved in the gun culture a way out to a new life away from violence and intimidation.

More than 20,000 guns were handed in throughout the UK as part of the amnesty.

The majority of weapons given up will be destroyed, though some of the antiques collected will be sent to museums.

Letisha's mother, Marcia Shakespeare, is due to appear at West Midlands Police headquarters to discuss her feelings about the amnesty on Wednesday afternoon.