SURGEONS say North-East families suffer more burns around Bonfire Night than their counterparts in the South.

A study by plastic surgeons at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, showed that local children were much more at risk of bonfire and firework-related burns during November.

This contrasted with the experience of surgeons at the Queen Victoria Hospital, in East Grinstead, Sussex, where small numbers of bonfire and firework injuries happened throughout the year.

Researchers Alex Edwin and Tania Cubison, from the RVI's plastic surgery unit, said: "The Newcastle results were very different to East Grinstead's. There were far more bonfire injuries than firework injuries. The majority of Newcastle children sustain bonfire injuries in November around bonfire night, whatever the weather."

The surgeons said the average age of a bonfire victim was ten, three to five years younger than they expected.

Burns victims seen at the RVI were probably just the "tip of the iceberg", with many more seen by casualty units and GPs.

The researchers said they hoped their work would help to raise awareness among children and parents of the need to take greater care around Bonfire Night.