A WOMAN battling to secure tougher controls on the use of fireworks has turned her back on Westminster and is now heading for the European Parliament to demand action.

Housewife Marjorie Johnson is furious that, despite repeated requests for tougher laws regarding their sale, the Government will not take action.

She says the last straw came when she heard Prime Minister Tony Blair say in the Commons that the Government was keeping the situation "under constant review".

For the past two years, Mrs Johnson, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and fellow campaigners throughout the country have been pleading for measures to replace the 1875 Explosives Act. They want laws relevant to modern fireworks.

"I have decided to take the issue up with the European Parliament. If Germany and France can have tough legislation to control the use of fireworks, then we should be able to have the same," she said.

"I am disgusted that the Government has not listened to the people," said Mrs Johnson, of Oatlands.

"There is overwhelming support for action, yet they say they are keeping things under review. I am sorry, it will not do.

"But I know this, I will not throw the towel in because the situation is getting worse and worse," she said.

Mrs Johnson and fellow supporters are campaigning for licensing of fireworks so sales are strictly controlled and restricted to specific days.

She is now seeking support from European MPs and has already sent a detailed dossier of her campaign to Yorkshire and Humber Euro MP David Bowe.

Mrs Johnson said: "Some of the fireworks of today are nothing less than bombs. We have them being let off at all times of the day and night throughout the year."