Police have dropped an investigation into a council officer who was arrested after a "gun" was seized at his home.

Nadeem Ilyas was arrested after police seized what they believed to be a Kalashnikov AK-47.

He was detained on suspicion of possessing an assault rifle without a certificate.

But analysis revealed it to be a replica that could not be fired, and Mr Ilyas will face no charges.

Nadeem Ilyas said: "At one stage I thought my job was in jeopardy and my family were answering questions within the community."

The weapon' was seized from a Blackburn address which Mr Ilyas describes as the family home.

"It was in a drawer with the oil and booklet which had come with it when it was bought quite openly off the internet," said Mr Ilyas.

"I hadn't even seen it for four months. A friend was going to make me a display cabinet for it."

"I don't want anything more to do with it," said Mr Ilyas. "It has brought nothing but grief and I just want to get on with my life and my work."

Solicitor Basharat Ditta, of Forbes Solicitors, who represented Mr Ilyas, said: "Police have now accepted it was not a firearm but in the meantime my client and his family have suffered a great deal of stress and anxiety and I feel the whole matter could have been handled better."

4:59pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

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