COTSWOLDS residents are in the firing line of a gun amnesty that is being launched across Gloucestershire on Friday.

The county's police force is hoping Operation Magpie will draw in all the unwanted guns from the district and stop them getting in the wrong hands.

The scheme is countrywide and has been running across the West Mercia Policing area with good results.

A selection of firearms the police have been taking in includes air rifles, shotguns and antique pistols.

The operation is to provide an amnesty for the possession of the firearm at the point the person hands it over. However if it's discovered that the firearm was used illegally before it was given in then police will pursue a prosecution.

A Gloucestershire Police spokesman said: "This applies to anyone who may have a gun they no longer need or have found, say during a loft clearance or house move. Licensed gun holders can also use this opportunity to get rid of any weapons they no longer want or use. "This gun surrender could potentially save lives by getting as many unwanted and illegal guns off our streets, resulting in fewer weapons which could potentially fall in to the hands of the wrong people."

Anyone with a gun they want to get rid of can take it along to their nearest police station.