PEOPLE on Teesside are being given a last chance to hand over firearms to police.

Cleveland Police are declaring a month-long firearms amnesty from today, with collection points at police stations in Redcar, Stockton, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

The move is part of a national amnesty before tightened gun laws, proposed by Home Secretary David Blunkett, are brought in.

Under the proposals, people found in possession of, or using prohibited firearms, face five years in prison.

Cleveland Police says it will play a full part in the drive to rid the streets of guns, imitation guns, airguns and blank-firers.

A two-week amnesty by the force last year resulted in the surrender of 80 firearms, all of which were destroyed by PC Dave Bew, the force's armourer, and his colleagues.

This latest amnesty will run until April 30. Unusual guns, or those of historic value, will be offered to local museums.

Inspector Harry Simpson, who is co-ordinating the amnesty, said: "We had a force-wide amnesty last year, following a successful operation in the Loftus area to get rid of air weapons.

"Although many firearms were disposed of, I have no doubt there will be many more tucked away in lofts and cupboards.

"Many law-abiding people have lethal weapons that have been lying around in their homes for years.

"Some elderly people probably have no idea of the dangers these weapons can pose, especially if they fall into the wrong hands."