TRADERS in Redcar and Cleveland have been issued with a stern warning by the borough council after an undercover survey found shops willing to sell fireworks to under-age children.

The authority has also alerted the public to the potential dangers of confusing garden and display fireworks, where safety distances vary from five to 25 metres.

A 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy were volunteers in a council survey, which took place during the half term holiday. The pair visited 12 outlets to test the vigilance of traders, who can be prosecuted for selling fireworks to anyone under 18. The survey found two shops that were willing to sell fireworks to children.

Jeff Bell, Redcar and Cleveland's Chief Trading Standards Officer, said: "We're asking traders to be more vigilant and reminding them of the age rules."

Coun Sylvia Szintai, the council's Lead Member for Environment and Infrastructure, highlighted the potential for mistaken identity over the two styles of fireworks.

She said: "These two categories cannot be told apart simply by shape and size. We have examples of display fireworks that are smaller than garden ones and both are sold in the same pack."

Mr Bell added: "At night, there's a real risk of picking the wrong one out and firing it off when the watchers are still only five metres away. A simple step would be for manufacturers not to mix the categories in selection boxes."