Avon and Somerset Police have urged residents to hand in any knives they find after one was discovered in Shepton Mallet.

The knife was found by gas workers in a small tree on the green by Queen's Road a few weeks ago, and following concerns raised by local residents, the police have confirmed their advice to anyone finding a bladed instrument.

A spokesperson said: "We would advise people to hand in any knife they find or they wish to dispose of at their nearest police station and the front office staff will take if from them for safe disposal."

One of the local residents, Sharon Cox, said she was also worried about how the knife got there.

She said: "It's a bit worrying that the younger generation are hanging out around the parks at nights, where young children are playing during the day.

"They leave rubbish and bottles, and some are smashed, not sure if by them or others that find the bottles.

"Smashed glass is found in the goalposts where the youngsters play and where dogs walk. On picking up the glass and handing to my neighbour across the green, she told me about the knife found in her small tree, which is on the green.

"It's a bit scary to think someone's walking around with that in their hand."