GUN owners across North Yorkshire, where there are more firearms than any other area in England, could be facing difficulties renewing licences North Yorkshire Police have warned.

New government rules mean anyone renewing a firearm or shotgun certificate after November 11 will need to provide a medical report.

The force say they will be unable to issue new licences for the foreseeable future. There are more than 50,000 guns across the county.

The tightening of the rules across the UK came after the horrific shootings in Plymouth in the summer when gunman, 22-year-old Jake Davison, shot and killed five people, injuring two others before killing himself. Davison had a firearms licence.

According to Home Office statistics, 6,863 firearms certificates and 46,639 shotgun certificates are current in North Yorkshire, the highest in England.

Police firearms licensing manager Det Insp Andy Palmer said anyone who needs to renew licences, which are held for five years, will need a medical report either from their GP or from companies who provide the service. He said: "You will not be able to complete your application for a firearm or a shotgun certificate without the report. We are currently managing a high volume of renewals and anticipate an increase in the number of people who cannot complete their application in time.

"If you have successfully submitted your renewal, we will contact you if anything else is needed. Please only contact our department if your query is urgent. Unfortunately, due to the change, no new grant applications are being processed at this time. I understand this may cause some frustration and disappointment for those who have already submitted an application however we want to let those individuals know we are working through these as quickly as we can, and you should hear from us no later than January 2022."

Martin Parker, British Association of Shooting Conservation Head of Firearms said North Yorkshire is believed to be among the first forces to warn of the crackdown. He added: "This has not been handled well, forces have been hit with a double whammy of Covid-19 and the tightening of the restrictions. Obviously it is a matter of protecting the public. Some livelihoods absolutely depend on having a gun licence, such as gamekeepers, and we would ask the force to consider exceptions."