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An initial investigation found that live rounds had somehow got mixed in with the blank cartridges that were to be used.

A search of the area was later carried out and blank cartridges were recovered from the area.

The suspicion that Tranmere were firing blank cartridges was beginning to rise when Hume exploded a live round into the Barnsley net just after the hour mark.

Guns which fire blanks use blank cartridges (Page 9, April 5).

Mr Webb said police later went to the defendant's home where they recovered a starting pistol loaded with blank cartridges.

Outside, Smith fired two blank cartridges, then White returned to say: "People get killed for their faith.

In a similar police raid at the home of David Hampson, in Barker Way, Kensington, officers found a replica police pistol which had been con verted, several drills which were used to bore out the firearms, and real and blank cartridges.

But South Wales Police criticised the use of imitation guns and blank cartridges.

Peter March (28) from Brentford, West London, pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm and blank cartridges at the Chiswick Social Club, West London.

He dragged White outside, loaded his gun with two blank cartridges and fired into the ground.

It is also alleged that the second gun found was a blank firing imitation Walther PPK, originally meant to fire 8mm blank cartridges but now modified so that, Mr Flewitt said: "it can now discharge projectiles from the barrel with lethal effect".

He set trip wires attached to blank cartridges, detonators and security lights.