Take care this bonfire night

Mark Ryder, head of localities and community safety at the county council’s trading standards service, said: “Unfortunately there is an increase in unlicensed sellers, selling products which may be old or illegal who are willing to take advantage of that.

“Generally these items are sold from the back of vans, which park up near markets or in local communities, selling to unsuspecting buyers.

“A number of these sellers may not have been storing their fireworks safely which could result in the fireworks either not working properly or seriously injuring someone.

“Sometimes they do not check the ages of buyers, which means they could be putting potential lethal products into the hands of children.”

Anyone who comes across an illegal seller should call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506.

People are also urged to take care when handling fireworks.

Assistant chief fire officer Jim Onions said: “Year on year, we continue to see people make the same mistakes, which result in property being set alight because bonfires have been built too close to the building or children and adults being hurt in firework related incidents.

“All we want is for residents to have an enjoyable Bonfire Night and the safest way to enjoy fireworks is actually to go to an organised firework display.

“But if people are not able to attend an organised event, then we are urging residents to ensure that they only buy fireworks from licensed sellers.”

For advice on buying fireworks safely, visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards or www.warwickshire.gov.uk/bonfirenight