A LAST-MINUTE rush to beat a weapons amnesty deadline has delighted Teesside police.

Until the weekend, only 40 guns had been handed in, but according to Chief Superintendent John Kelly, of Cleveland Police, that number almost doubled over the weekend.

"I think people have seen the publicity and realised time was running out. It has been a last-minute rush - last minute thinking - we all do it.''

The Langbaurgh district initiative has seen 30 air rifles, 32 air pistols, four shotguns and other assorted firearms, including one antique.

Police are also going into schools to talk to youngsters about the dangers of guns and misuse of weapons.