GWEN Mayor and her 16 Dunblane Primary school pupils would still be alive today if guns were not so easily available - that's the view of the teacher's distraught mother-in-law in the wake of the first week of the national firearms amnesty.

Lancashire Constabulary has announced that more than 80 firearms have been handed in at police stations across the county.

But Frances Mayor, who lives with her husband Thomas in Green Street, Great Harwood, feels bitter that such a tragic event had to happen before action was taken.

"I welcome any scheme to get guns off the streets but as far as we are concerned it's too little too late. However I wouldn't wish it upon anyone to go through what we, and the families of those little children, have been through."

She added: "I still firmly believe that guns are too easily available and that Gwen and the children would still be alive today if it wasn't for that gun maniac being able to get his hands on them without too much fuss."

Since the amnesty began two shotguns, two automatic pistols, one revolver and several rounds of ammunition have been handed over in Accrington.

But it's success has been marred by the town's recent shooting incident, in which a man was injured.

Chief Insp McEwan Downie, Accrington police's amnesty co-ordinator, said: "We are obviously very shocked by last week's shooting.

"It is the type of incident we hoped would never happen in Accrington."

He added they were satisfied with the response so far.

Blackburn Police station has received 16 guns - but Inspector Stuart Caley said it's not enough.

He said: "We are doing all we can to support the amnesty and are quite pleased with the response we have had, but it could be better. We are urging people to continue to bring them in until the amnesty ends at the end of the month."

In Darwen a shot gun and three pistols have been handed to police. Sgt Stephen Baines commented: "Each gun handed into us is one less off the street."

Officers at Great Harwood Police Station also received a good response with six firearms handed in, including an air rifle and two shotguns.

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