A SIXTY-three-year-old Whitehaven man has appeared in court to face 24 charges relating to alleged offences under the Firearms Act.

All but one of the charges faced by Simon William Churchman relate to him allegedly illegally possessing 41 ammunition pieces - as well as weapon parts - without a firearms licence.

The defendant, of Kinniside Avenue, did not enter a plead during his appearance at Workington Magistrates' Court.

The charges - all relating to March 2 and items found in Whitehaven - cover a range of ammunition, including:

* Five items of .380 revolver ammunition.

* One .22 Winchester magnum ammunition.

* Nine rounds of .22 short ammunition.

* Seven 9mm parabellum ammunition.

* Two .44 Rem Magnum ammunition.

* And nine rounds of .22 short ammunition.

The final charge alleges he had the component parts of a Mauser M98 7.92 rifle. Magistrates sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court for a hearing on July 28.

Churchman was granted bail on condition that he lives and sleeps each night at his current address.