A WARNING has been issued over the sale of illegal fireworks as Trading Standards teams begin routine checks ahead of bonfire night.
County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) have also urged would-be customers to avoid buying cheap fireworks from anywhere other than a licensed retailer such as a supermarket.
Shops will only be able to sell fireworks between Saturday, October 15, and Thursday, November 10, before the New Year trading period begins on Monday, December 26, and ends on Saturday, December 31.
The CCDFRS have advised families to visit organised firework shows rather than use their own gardens for displays which should have a safety zone of at least 25 metres.
Trading Standards added that buying or possessing banger-type fireworks is illegal and counterfeit rockets can cause serious injuries when they burst and shed jagged pieces of shrapnel.
For more information on the Firework Code and bonfire night safety, visit ddfire.gov.uk/news/stay-safe-bonfire-night-1
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