An AK47 has been handed in during a gun surrender.

The formidable Kalashnikov rifle - which had been "legally deactivated" - was given to police in Canterbury yesterday, as part of a countywide amnesty organised by Kent Police.

Although it has only been running for five days, the operation has already seen 53 firearms and 460 rounds of ammunition handed in.

Police are appealing for people to hand in unwanted or illegally held guns or ammunition - including replica and antique firearms, air weapons, BB guns, imitation firearms, component parts and other ballistic items - at police stations during the two-week surrender, which ends at 5pm on February 1.

During this period, those giving up 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.

The surrender is an opportunity to dispose of unwanted, unlicensed weapons in a safe place and avoid the risk of them falling into the wrong hands.

More than 300 guns were handed in to Kent Police during last year’s firearms surrender including a Second World War era pistol.

DCI Patrick Holmes said: "We are carrying out this two-week firearm surrender to encourage the public to hand in as many unwanted or unlicensed firearms as possible.

"The surrender is part of Kent Police’s ongoing work to tackle, disrupt and prevent violent crime across the county.

"By handing in a weapon being kept illegally you can help prevent it from falling into the wrong hands and you could save a life."

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.