Police in the North have found a gun in Newry.

The handgun was found in a bin in an alleyway on John Martin Street in the city at around 6:30pm yesterday evening.

It has now been sent for a forensic examination.

PSNI Detective Sergeant James Johnston said: "It is reckless in the extreme to leave such an item in a residential area which is frequented by all members of the public, including children.

"Thankfully this danger has now been removed."

Police in the North called on anyone with information about how the gun ended up in the bin to contact them.