Shop owners warned over fireworks

Traders in Cumbria have been warned they face hefty penalties if they sell fireworks to children.

Undercover child volunteers have been drafted in to aid trading standards bosses find retailers selling to underage youngsters.

The law prohibits the sale of any fireworks to people under-18 and sparklers to those under the age of 16. Bangers are outlawed completely.

Persistent offenders face the risk of large fines or even imprisonment.

'Heed advice'

Phil Ashcroft, head of Cumbria Trading Standards, said: "The vast majority of retailers comply fully with the law on the safe storage and sale of fireworks.

"But those who don't heed our advice and sell fireworks to children will be dealt with severely.

"We also urge adults to act responsibly and not buy fireworks on behalf of children and report any instances of sales to children they come across.

"We are keen to do all we can in Cumbria to reduce accidents and incidents of anti-social behaviour through firework misuse."