GIANT fireworks are giving authorities in one Teesside town, a monster headache.

Middlesbrough Council officials have discovered large fireworks for sale in certain shops.

Officials claim few people have access to enough open space to legally or safely set off the large category three display fireworks.

"There's a worrying loophole in the law, which concerns us all the more as fireworks are getting bigger every year," said Councillor Barry Coppinger, executive member for public protection.

"The concerns were highlighted by a council working party.

"I wrote to the Government expressing my alarm that this problem wasn't picked up in the new Fireworks Act.

"More and more shops seem to be stocking these products and they seem to be getting larger and larger as each year goes by.''

He added: "As with any fireworks, the police can take action if somebody lets these things off in a public place.

"Unless you have a huge garden, or own a field - which counts out most of us in Middlesbrough - you really should not be using these fireworks in your November 5 celebrations.

"They could easily put you or your neighbours at risk."