Owners of replica guns across Oxfordshire are being offered the chance to exchange their weapons for music vouchers in a police amnesty.

Thames Valley Police is offering a £10 Virgin Megastore voucher to anyone who hands in their replica or ball bearing gun between Monday, November 18 and December 8.

Although not illegal, they account for many false alarms and serious crimes.

Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Sara Thornton said: "Misuse of BB and replica guns can cause concern and fear in the community and puts a significant strain on police resources.

"Every time an incident is reported in which a gun is believed to have been seen, police must treat it as a real firearm.

"The use of replica guns in public can be extremely frightening to those who do not know that it is fake. More seriously, BB and replica guns can be used in violent crimes such as armed robbery.

"Being threatened with a replica gun is just as terrifying as being threatened with a real gun, and is treated very seriously in the courts with sentences of up to ten years."

In the last year, 37 replica and BB guns were recovered by Thames Valley Police. In August there were 12 incidents involving them.

The replica guns may be taken to any police station. Vouchers will be sent by post. Toy and cap guns will not be accepted.