PICTURED: Deadly haul of guns handed in to Staffordshire Police

The force said it took control of 293 surrendered items - 207 firearms and the rest ammunition.

Officers received 59 shotguns, six rifles, 26 pistols, 17 revolvers, 65 air weapons and 34 other types of guns

New firearms legislation came into affect in July increasing the maximum jail term for illegal gun possession from 10 years to life and now includes anyone who is storing a weapon for someone else.

During the two-week period those surrendering firearms were not prosecuted for the illegal possession and could remain anonymous. But, the history of each live weapon will be checked for evidence of its use in crimes.

The new law bans antique firearms and storing a weapon for someone else.

Ch Insp Phil Fortun, of the force's tactical support department, said: "We are extremely pleased that so many people took advantage of the surrender opportunity in Staffordshire. It's been a huge success with fewer firearms now that could potentially end up in the hands of criminals.

"A sawn-off shotgun is usually the result of someone altering a weapon to use in criminality. Having two sawn-off shotguns surrendered means they will never be used for such activity.

"Many owners of air weapons and BB guns also took advantage of the surrender opportunity by handing them in. Although not all are illegal, some have the potential to seriously harm, or even kill."

The weapons will now be destroyed.

Staffordshire Police said incidents of gun crime across the county and nationally has continued to fall.

"It's pleasing that there is a reduction, but we are far from complacent. Together with our partners we continually work hard to educate young people about firearms and the dangers that come with them, to ensure that gun crime doesn't become prevalent in the future," Ch Insp Fortun added.

The amnesty was a joint initiative by Staffordshire Police and the National Ballistics Intelligence Service (NABIS).