Temporary metal detectors will be installed outside an Oswestry nightclub this Christmas in a bid to combat knife crime.

The airport-style walk through device, also known as a ‘knife arch’ will be used outside Gibson’s nightclub in New Street.

A trial run of the detector outside the club was completed a fortnight ago and police will now liaise with the club’s management to discuss its deployment in the weeks ahead.

Owner Carlton Leonard said: “Right now I’m not sure when the metal detector will be used outside our doors again, but the police will be in touch to consult with me about it.

“I believe this is something the police wanted to trial in the town and we hope it will be a deterrent to anyone who carries an offensive weapon, or to anyone thinking of doing so.”

Senior West Mercia Police officials say the measures are being used in targeted areas across the region to combat the threat of concealed weapons.

Superintendent David McWilliam said: “There are no plans to introduce knife arches widely across Shropshire at this time.

“We have worked hard, in partnership with colleagues in local authorities, and with the recent 'save a life, surrender your knife' amnesty, to remove knives from our streets and to educate people that carrying a knife in a public place is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.

“We will continue to use an intelligence-led approach to the deployment of knife arches.”

The metal detector will form part of a larger-scale police initiative to make Oswestry safer for revellers during the festive period.

Elsewhere, sniffer dogs will be used by police officers as part of increased patrols in the town, and taxi marshals will be on hand to help improve public safety.

Mr Leonard added: “Things have changed quite significantly since 1992 when I started out and people went out for a few drinks before heading home.

“Unfortunately, drugs are quite a big problem nowadays.

“I hope the use of sniffer dogs will help to tackle this problem by identifying those looking to supply drugs or deter them from carrying them into a pub or nightclub.”