BONFIRE Night is less than a month away and safety campaigners in Hambleton aim to ensure the celebrations are not marred by accidents or tragedy.

The district has a good safety record and its Community Safety Partnership is backing a national and regional campaign, which includes television advertising, text messages and posters.

It is also taking action locally, sending copies of the Firework Safety Code and posters to schools and parish councils, as well as displaying exhibitions at all council offices.

Trading standards and fire service officers are also visiting shopkeepers to ensure licensing and safety standards are being complied with. Last year, test purchases led to two prosecutions against traders who sold fireworks to under-age buyers.

They are also encouraging as many people as possible to attend organised displays rather than holding parties in their gardens.

"We want to make sure Bonfire Night goes off with only the right sort of bangs," said environmental health spokesman Councillor David Blades.

"By taking some time to study the Firework Code before the event, organisers can be sure they have a great, problem-free firework display."

He also appealed to the parents of teenagers, who are the main source of firework problems, to reinforce the dangers of misusing fireworks.

"It is the 13 to 17-year-olds that are most likely to suffer scarring for life or permanent eye damage from firework pranks," he said.

* Fireworks advice is available by calling the environmental health department on (01609) 767098, or the fire service on (01609) 780150.

Anyone who is concerned about the sale of fireworks to people under the age of 18, or about unsafe fireworks, is asked to contact trading standards on (01609) 768606.