Seven shotguns and a set of nunchucks - a martial arts weapon - are among 400 potential weapons handed in as a county-wide surrender enters its final week..

The horde of real and inmitation firearms, blades and ammunition has been turned over to the authorities by the public in an effort to cut weapon crime dramatically.

The scheme, part of the Kent Police Safer Spring initiative, ends on April 20 and has so far amassed 29 real firearms, 42 airguns, 22 imitation firearms, three starter pistols, six BB guns, 303 bladed instruments, 35 sets of ammunition.

A set of nunchucks – a potentially lethal weapon made famous by martial arts star Bruce Lee – was also recovered.

Ch Insp Mark Harrison of the Partnership and Crime Reduction department at Kent Police said: 'We are delighted so far with the success of the weapons surrender.

“All the weapons handed over to us are those that cannot now be used in crime. We are pleased that people in Kent are responding so well to our campaign and making their communities safer.”

Anyone carrying an illegal weapon, whether it is a realistic imitation or not, will be dealt with by police and the courts, and it is highly likely that armed police will respond to reported incidents.

Any type of weapon can be handed over to police, or can contact police to arrange the safe collection of weapons from their homes.

Anyone wanting details on how to surrender weapons should contact their local police station, or to report the misuse of weapons or illegal weapons can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.