People have two extra days to hand in unwanted or illegally held firearms or ammunition after Kent Police decided to extended its firearms surrender.

The surrender - which began on Monday, January 21, 21 and was due to end today, will now finish on Sunday - giving the public two extra days to dispose of any unwanted or illegally-held firearms and ammunition.

During this period, those surrendering firearms will not face prosecution for illegal possession and can remain anonymous.

Many firearms are held innocently with owners unaware of their illegality, or are overlooked heirlooms forgotten in people’s homes.

Others are acquired and distributed by criminal networks to threaten or harm communities.

Any firearm believed to be linked to criminal offences will be investigated in the usual manner.

More than 120 firearms, including shotguns, pistols and air weapons and an AK47 have been handed in so far with approximately 2,000 rounds of ammunition being surrendered.

DCI Patrick Holmes said: "We have had such an excellent response to this year’s surrender that we decided it would be beneficial to extend the surrender, allowing more members of the public who may not have been able to visit a station just yet, time to bring in their unwanted or illegally held firearm.

"Every firearm off the streets is another weapon which has been prevented from being potentially used in criminal activity so I would encourage residents to please continue to take full advantage of this surrender and hand over any unwanted or unlicensed firearms.

"You could help save a life by preventing it from falling into the wrong hands and you will not be prosecuted for possessing the weapon."

During the surrender the public can hand firearms to the front counter at the following police stations: Folkestone, Margate, Canterbury, Tonbridge, Maidstone, North Kent, Medway and Sittingbourne.

People are advised to check the opening times of a station by clicking here before attending.

Individuals wishing to dispose of an unwanted firearms or ammunition who cannot attend the above stations should call 101 and collection will be arranged.