Merlin Williams used his blunt sword, Taliesin, to create a circle of safety around members of the druid order at ceremonies.

The sword had been consecrated for use in the religious ceremonies, which are often held in Portsmouth.

They either take place on the beach or by the bandstand near to the Blue Reef Aquarium in Southsea.

Merlin now plans to use a staff or similar object to create the circle of safety at ceremonies.

He said: 'The thought to hand the sword in to police came to me when I was meditating and thinking about world peace and the stabbings you read about in the papers all the time.

'I wanted to show that druids are peace-loving and although the sword was never used for violence, I thought handing it in to the police station where it was confiscated would be a good way of doing this.

'I also want to discourage others from carrying knives as it can lead to violence and people being hurt.

'I've spent time in the cells because of carrying the sword and I can tell you it wasn't a nice experience.'

A small number of druids gathered outside Portsmouth Central Police Station on Saturday to hold a ceremony to bid farewell to the sword before it was handed over to officers.

It included them all joining hands, creating a circle around the sword, and calling for world peace.

The consecration of the sword was also removed.

Merlin said: 'Because the sword has been used for magic we had to cleanse it before giving it to anyone else.

'I'm sad to see it go as we've been together for so long but I hope that this will help people to see druids are peace-loving.'

Merlin, 30, who now lives in Glastonbury is still chief bard for the Insular Order of the Druids in Portsmouth as well as taking up the position in his new home town.