The discovery of a BB gun and a live bullet in a bed sheet at a Suffolk prison has prompted an inquiry.

A prisoner discovered the .303 calibre bullet and gun inside bedding that was intended for recycling at an inmate-staffed workshop at Highpoint Prison.

He handed the items, which were found in a clothing skip last month, to staff.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said: “There was no risk to security of the prison.”

Textile recyclers LMB collects clothes from various locations, including supermarkets, and takes them to the category C jail, near Haverhill.

LMB founder Lawrence Barry said about 100 prisoners help sort 20 tonnes of textiles which are sent daily, but collections and the work have ceased while the investigation is carried out.

“It’s a damned shame,” Mr Barry said.

“It provides valuable employment for prisoners. Gives them self respect.”

A former prison officer, who asked not to be named, said it was fortunate the prisoner handed the items in.

“In the wrong hands they could have been used in hostage-taking and to cause harm,” he said.