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An unsuspecting fisherman pulled two guns out of the Grand Union Canal while magnet fishing in Ladbroke Grove.

The large guns were wrapped in a black bin bag and it is unclear how long they were in the water for before they were discovered on Thursday afternoon (August 22).

Police have confirmed the guns are now being tested to work out where they came from.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at 4.51pm to reports of two suspected firearms recovered from the Grand Union Canal by members of the public.

"Officers attended and the suspected firearms have been recovered and will be sent to a specialist forensics unit for assessment."

They were found by the bridge where the road Ladbroke Grove crosses the canal on the south east corner of Kensal Green Cemetery.

This is right by where Notting HIll Carnival will take place over the bank holiday weekend, which will see huge crowds of people come to the area from across the world.

Alexis Baddeley, who lives on the canals and arrived just after the guns were pulled out, told MyLondon: "I was cycling home along the towpath and there was a crowd of seven to eight people gathered under the bridge just on the east side of Ladbroke Grove Sainsbury's.

"I slowed down and asked what was happening, and the magnet fisherman had just pulled [the guns] out. I think it must have just happened."

One of the weapons recovered from the canal appears to be a Franchi SPAS 12 shotgun, which has a distinct vented heat-shield and wrap-around grip.

(Image: HellsXgunsmith)

It hasn't changed the way Alexis sees the canals.

He said: "I think it's always been a place people dump illicit items, and I think compared to 20 or 30 years ago it's a far safer place to be."

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Magnet fishing is a popular activity in the canals but usually the most exciting thing people find are old saucepans.

In July last year (2018) a magnet fisher found a sub machine gun, ammunition and a knife in the canals near Enfield Lock.