A LIT firework was pushed through the letterbox of a man's Darlington home and exploded inside on Tuesday night.

Brian Green, of Wordsworth Road, Parkside, Darlington, was left shocked by the incident.

He said the consequences could have been far more severe had his ill wife been at home.

Yesterday Mr Green, 54, said he wanted the people responsible for the attack to be caught and locked up.

"My wife, Mavis, only recently suffered a mild heart attack and had she been here on Tuesday night I would definitely have had to call an ambulance as well as the police," he said.

The lit firework was forced through Mr Green's letter box at about 8.20pm and it exploded in the hall, damaging the wall and carpet.

"The place was filled with smoke so I was unable to see anybody running away from out of the window, so I don't know who is responsible," he said.

"Whoever it was should be put away."

Police yesterday confirmed that a firework was put through the front door of the one-bedroom flat.

They appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident or who might know the identity of the culprits to call them on (01325) 467681.