A wartime pistol handed in during a gun amnesty campaign will be donated to a weapons museum.

Kent Police is running the two-week appeal for the public to surrender unwanted and illegally-held firearms throughout the county without consequences.

The most unusual item collected so far is an FP45 Liberator pistol, which has been handed over at the desk at Folkestone Police Station.

It will now be sent to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds.

People have just three days left to hand in their weapons without facing any criminal charges.

The public can dispose of any guns and ammunition during the amnesty – without facing prosecution – at police stations throughout Kent.

It ends at 5pm on Sunday, with those handing in firearms also able to remain anonymous during the process and face no charges for potential illegal possession.

"This firearm is a part of history and I am sure it will be a welcome addition to the collection." Det Ch Supt Rob Fordham

Around one million Liberator pistols were made in the USA during the Second World War and were intended to be used by resistance forces in occupied territories.

The crude ineffective nature of the firearm meant many were dumped at sea or melted down for scrap.

But rather than destroying the weapon, which is usually what happens to surrendered firearms, police intend to send the pistol up the museum.

Det Ch Supt Rob Fordham said: “This firearm is a part of history and I am sure it will be a welcome addition to the collection at the Royal Armouries Museum.

“Weapons such as these are often forgotten heirlooms which have been taken from past conflicts and passed down over the generations.

“If it’s unwanted, or if you’re unsure if it’s illegally-owned, please hand it in. You will not be prosecuted for possessing the weapon whilst surrendering it, you could prevent it falling into the wrong hands, and you could save a life.”

The amnesty is part of a wider Kent Police operation to tackle and prevent violent crime and possession of weapons, called Operation Raptor.

But it comes at the same time a popular pub landlord was shot dead in his pub in Folkestone. Joe Daniels, 58, died on Wednesday at the Red Cow in Foord Road and police have launched a murder investigation.

Firearms can be handed in at the front counter at the following police stations: Folkestone, Dover, Margate, Ashford, Canterbury, Sittingbourne, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone and Swanley.

Check opening times by calling 101 or visiting the Kent Police website. Collection can be arranged by calling 101 for those unable to attend a police station in person.