Ricky Gervais will launch a campaign urging people to hand in unwanted items made from ivory and other animal products to police.

The Metropolitan Police’s Wildlife Crime Unit, in partnership with animal welfare and wildlife charities are appealing for the donations in an attempt to stop the illegal trade.

Ricky Gervais said: “This is an opportunity for Londoners to show their support and to protect animals from the illegal wildlife trade.”

DC Sarah Bailey, from the Metropolitan Police Wildlife Crime Unit, said: “We are asking the public to take unwanted items to police station so they can be destroyed or used to educate people about the illegal trade in animal parts and its impact on species in the wild.

“By raising awareness and encouraging people to get behind this appeal we can potentially reduce the demand for these products.”

DC Bailey said police were looking for ivory carvings, rhino horn, big cat skins and furs, tortoiseshell, reptile skin accessories and taxidermy of endangered species.

The charities  involved in the campaign are David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, International Fund for Animal Welfare, WildAid, World Animal Protection  and the World Wildlife Fund.

If anyone has information regarding wildlife crime they can call Met police on 020 7230 8898 orwildlife@met.police.co.uk or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.