FIREWORK PROBE

Fireworks should not be on general sale more than three weeks before November 5.

And the origin of these illegally-sold fireworks is being investigated by Halton Council's consumer protection division.

Cllr Liam Temple, of Castlefields ward, has received complaints and says the illegal sale and subsequent use of fireworks in public places can cause a danger to residents.

Cllr Phil Harris, chairman of the Environmental Health and Consumer Protection Committee, sayid: "We have no reason to believe that any of these premises registered to legally store and sell fireworks is selling them before they should be doing so.

"If the fireworks are coming from illegal sources, then the safety of them may also be questionable.

"Anyone selling fireworks without being registered with the Consumer Protection Division or selling them to someone under 18 years of age is doing so illegally.

"If they are detected they will face prosecution and fines up to £5,000."

It is also an offence to throw or discharge fireworks in streets or a public place, and offenders face action by the police.

Cllr Harris emphasised that Halton Council will not tolerate the illegal storage, sales or use of fireworks.

Officers of the Consumer Protection Division will investigate all breaches and will come down hard on offenders, he said.

They are particularly concerned this year that the sale and use of fireworks will be an ongoing activity from now until the New Year.

Registered retailers will hopefully be complying with an industry agreed code of practice which will limit the sale of fireworks to the three weeks leading up to November 5 and a few days following it.

Fireworks should then not be available until December 27 for the millennium celebrations.

If you know of anyone who is selling fireworks illegally, please contact the Consumer Protection Division on 0151-471 7515.

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