POLICE have revealed that more than 60 weapons were handed over in Bolton during the month-long firearms amnesty which has now ended.

And they say the town will be a safer place as a result.

The 64 guns handed in included seven pistols, five revolvers, six rifles, seven shotguns and many replica weapons.

They were taken to police stations in Bolton, Astley Bridge, Farnworth and Westhoughton.

The amnesty ended at midnight as tough new penalties came into force as part of the national clampdown on gun crime.

Police chiefs pledged to use the new powers. They warned that anyone found illegally in possession of a firearm faced up to five years in jail. Possession of an air weapon or replica gun in a public place will become an offence as part of the crackdown.

In the entire Greater Manchester area, 2,164 weapons and 24,479 rounds of ammunition were handed in during the amnesty.

During the last amnesty in 1996, only 500 weapons and 12,000 rounds of ammunition were handed over.

Det Insp Andy Aston of Bolton CID said: "We are extremely pleased with the public response to this campaign. What has been most encouraging is the type and variety of weapons that have been handed in, which has included a significant number of both real and prohibited guns.

"From the outset of this initiative we always said that if we only had one gun handed in, then it would have been a success. It would be one less weapon that could be used in a crime or that could injure or even kill someone.

"In Bolton we have had 64 handed in, which has taken 64 guns off our streets and made them a safer place to be."

Det Insp Aston added: "The public have been given plenty of time to get rid of any illegal weapons they have without fear of prosecution.

"We will now be actively seeking out those who have retained illegal weapons and they can expect to face the full consequences before a court of possessing their firearms ."