Get the Echo newsletter - it has never been more important to stay informed Sign me up now Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Two huge machetes were discovered in an abandoned car in Skelmersdale.

Police found the weapons after being called to reports of an accident on Back Lane in Digmoor on Sunday afternoon.

A statement on Skelmersdale Police Facebook page said an abandoned vehicle was located and searched.

A shocking picture shows the two machetes discovered during the search.

Officers uploaded the picture with the hashtag #removingknivesfromourstreets

The car has been seized by police and enquiries are ongoing to identify the owner.

The Facebook Post said: "Following a report of an accident on Back Lane Digmoor a vehicle was located abandoned, the resulting search located 2 large machetes. Enquires ongoing to identify the owner."

People were quick to express their shock at the picture.

One said: "Where the hell sells these things."

Another said: "cowards carry knives."

A third simply added: "holy moly", while afourth said: "Hope they’ve left finger prints on them."

This discovery comes after a month which has seen knife crime declared a national emergency following a spate of murders across London, the Midlands and the North West.

Stop and search tactics are set to increase in Merseyside to tackle the growing "scourge of knife crime," the area's top police officer has warned.

Anyone with information should contact @MerPolCC, or you can contact the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.

You can report incidents to Lancashire Police, who cover Skelmersdale, online here.