A student who claimed he was producing props for a university film project has pleaded guilty to making two guns using a 3D printer.

In the first case of its kind Tendai Muswere admitted using the printer to make a revolver and a handgun out of plastic resin at his London flat.

The 26-year-old Zimbabwean national told police he had made the firearms to use as props in a film project for his course at London South Bank University.

Officers came across the 3D printed component parts for the guns while searching his flat for drugs in October 2017, following a tip-off that he was growing cannabis at home.

During the search they found components for a 3D printed gun capable of firing a lethal shot, as well as cannabis plants and evidence of cannabis cultivation.

A search of Muswere’s internet search history revealed that he had viewed videos showing how to use a 3D printer to manufacture firearms which fired live ammunition.

A second raid on his home in Pimlico, in February 2018, turned up more parts for a 3D printed gun.

Scotland Yard said it feared the guns could have fallen into the hands of serious criminals.