POLICE were called to a street in Burnham-on-Sea after a member of the public found a bag with a suspected firearm inside it.

The item was reported at around 11.40am on Friday, October 14, and officers carried out forensic work at the scene in Oxford Street.

Their analysis found that the firearm was an imitation. It has been seized by the police.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to Oxford Street, in Burnham-on-Sea, at about 11.40am on Friday, October 14 after a member of the public reported finding a bag with a suspected firearm inside.

“Officers attended and forensic work was carried out at the scene.

“Following analysis, it was found the firearm was an imitation. It was seized by officers.”

An imitation firearm is defined by the Crown Prosecution Service as “any thing which has the appearance of being a firearm, whether or not it is capable of discharging any shot, bullet or other missile”.

Further information can be found on the police.uk website, which says: “If you're caught illegally carrying a knife or a gun, even an imitation one, you will be arrested and prosecuted.

“It's no excuse to say it was for your own protection or you were carrying it for someone else.”

It adds: “It's illegal for anyone aged under 18 to purchase an imitation firearm and for anyone to sell an imitation firearm to someone aged under 18.”