LAST year thousands of local people backed a campaign calling for tougher measures to control the sale and use of fireworks. The Government has decided to back a Labour MP's Private Members Bill that would start to tackle the problem of firework misuse.

Government support for the tough new powers against firework misuse was included in the recent Anti Social Behaviour Bill, a Bill which includes measures such as banning the sale of spray paint cans to youths, new powers to combat fly tipping and graffiti, restricting the use of air weapons and replica guns and £75 million over the next three years to support the drive to tackle anti-social behaviour.

I was dismayed to hear the Liberal Democrats are opposing the Government's Anti Social Behaviour Bill and the new measures to tackle these problems.

I have written to Simon Hughes, the Liberal Democrats Home Affairs spokesperson urging him, and his party, to drop their opposition to these measures.

What is the point of talking tough locally if you are not prepared to back the necessary legislation to deal with the scourge of anti-social behaviour? The thousands of local people who backed tougher regulation on the sale and use of fireworks expect action - not words.

CLLR. Sandra Banawich, Newton West Ward