A SCHOOLBOY scarred for life by a prank with an illegal banger in a "moment of madness" is urging other youngsters to stay safe around fireworks

Dylan Cosgrove 15, of Blackfell, Washington, was badly hurt when he lit the banger “for a laugh” in his bedroom.

He tried in vain to put it out and put his right hand over it to shield his girlfriend Erin Easton from the blast.

He lost the end of a finger and broke his right hand in seven places, which has required more than four hours of surgery to insert steel pins in his fingers.

Dylan is now backing a bonfire safety campaign by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Brigade.

The teenager, who is left-handed, went through four-and-a-half hours of surgery.

He said: “Everyday life is so much harder now. I’ll have to get the pins removed from my fingers in a few weeks and I’ll need to continue to have physiotherapy for some time.

“I wish I could turn the clock back. This moment of madness could have cost me my life and I put my girlfriend in danger too.

“I really don’t want this to happen to anyone else and to highlight how dangerous fireworks are.

“It might seem like a bit of fun, but they are extremely dangerous explosives and they should always be treated properly.

“ I am lucky it didn’t blow up in my face and dread to think how my eyesight would have been affected.”

Area Manager Kevin Gardner, of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Fireworks are explosive devices and are incredibly dangerous.

“A moment of madness has left Dylan and his family with devastating consequences, which they will live with for the rest of their lives.

“I cannot highlight enough the importance of the safe use of fireworks, and the potential serious harm caused by any misuse.

"I would urge anyone to report the sale of illegal fireworks to the police and not to buy them. Licensed fireworks are explosives but buying fireworks from none reputable or licensed retailers is asking for trouble – you simply do not know what is in them or how they will react.”