A fire service is warning people of the dangers of fireworks and bonfires.

Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority is advising people to attend organised events.

Fire chiefs say their appeal is not to spoil people's fun, but to minimise the risk of accidents and fireworks falling into the wrong hands. The message comes three days after an 81-year-old was forced to flee her home in Widgeon Road, Darlington, after a lit firework was pushed through her letterbox by youths.

A year ago, 52-year-old Arthur Lonsdale died after a rocket was pushed through the cat flap of his home in Witherwack, Sunderland.

Community safety officer Dave Turnbull said: "We are not trying to be killjoys, but every year we are dealing with incidents like this, where youths play with fireworks or bonfires get out of hand.

"We realise people want to celebrate Bonfire Night, but there are organised events being held in the community which allow families to enjoy it safely.

"Organised events are bigger, cheaper and you don't have to worry about anything as you have a trained person lighting the fires and managing the bonfire."

Mr Turnbull said fire crews are often called out to extinguish bonfires that had been lit in residential areas and spread to neighbouring buildings.

"Every year, we get reports of bonfires being lit next to fences, trees, electrical cables or people's property," he said.

"And while we are dealing with these illegally-built bonfires, our service could be more seriously needed elsewhere."

* The annual County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service and Durham Constabulary Bonfire and Fireworks Display will be taking place on Friday at Police Headquarters, Aykley Heads, Durham City.