I was out picking litter - and found this in a Manchester park

A litter-picker had a shock as he collected rubbish on his regular morning walk with his dog. Craig Winterburn found what appears to be a handgun in Manchester's Alexandra Park.

The 62-year-old has an impressive sense of public duty in clearing the park of potentially dangerous plastic and broken glass. And he says he waited for 40 minutes for police to turn up after alerting them.

Craig, from Hulme, said: "I was on my bike, but with the dog, and I take a regular route. I was looking out for the glass because council lawnmowers go over it and it causes a right mess and is dangerous.

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"I have always done litter picking all my life really - it is a real bone of contention with me. When I first walked by it I thought nothing of it at first, thinking it was a plastic toy gun. I was going to thrown it in the bin as smashed plastic can cause havoc to my dog's paws.

"Then it crossed my mind that it looked a bit different. I went back, picked it up, and it was proper weighty. It was on the grass next to the path around the lake. It was not really hidden, just flung there.

"This was at about 7am on Saturday. I picked it up - didn't point at my face - but started checking it to see if there was anything in it. The barrel span round and it was empty. I pointed it to the ground and pulled the trigger and thankfully nothing went 'bang'.

"I then put in back on the ground and called the police immediately. They came after about 40 minutes. An officer turned up and then he called for someone else. Then two armed police turned up who had a good look at it.

"They then must have had the call to cordon the entire area off. By then it was 8.45am and they said forensics were coming, so I said 'right I'm off now'. They must have though it was a least a replica for it to have got that serious.

"I left with my dog as I'd been in the park since 6.30am and was getting hungry and had work to do. I’ve not heard anything so have no idea if it was real or just a good replica but I guess the concern was it could have been a threat in the past or future so I’m glad I found it and reported it before anyone else did.

"I was struck by the way the handle was taped up. I have seen documentaries which have shown that is often done for a better grip. I find all sorts in the park - jewellery, cash, saws, boltcroppers. Then a gun, but I don't want that.

"I pick up daily in the Whalley Range Alexandra park. I’ve written to my MP Lucy Powell about the glass asking for a park ban throughout the city. I haven’t heard back yet."

Greater Manchester Police have been asked for comment.