A WARNING has been issued about the dangers of buying fireworks from unlicensed sellers following reports of them being sold via Facebook from private houses in Stockton.

Businesses and individuals have to register or obtain a special licence from Stockton Borough Council if they wish to store fireworks for sale; even if they are being sold from a private house or online.

Any seller which is not registered or licensed may be fined up to £5,000 and given a prison sentence of up to six months.

There are also a number of other important legal requirements that all sellers must adhere to, even if they are registered or have a special licence. These include not selling fireworks to anyone who is under 18 years old, rules about safe storage and not selling caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throwdowns to anyone who is under 16 years old.

Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, Councillor Steve Nelson, said: “We are concerned that some private sellers may not be complying with licensing and storage requirements particularly in relation to under age sales and storing large quantities of fireworks at a private address.

“We are working closely with Cleveland Police to identify anyone who is not meeting these important legal requirements and will carry out spot checks on any seller who is thought to be selling fireworks to under 18s."