A NEWSAGENT'S shop in Darwen has brought in tough new rules after the previous owner was fined for selling fireworks to a child.

The previous owner of Mags and Fags, Bolton Road, Darwen has been fined £1,000 with £750 costs after admitting the offence at Blackburn Magistrates Court.

Now Sohel Shaikh, who took over the business in September 10 months after the previous owner was caught out, has taken steps to prevent any such incidents under his tenure.

He said: "I will now only be selling them to people who look over 20. That way it is safer.

"And they also must show identification. I don't want a bad reputation.

"This court case could be detrimental to my business.

"I don't want people in the area thinking I sell fireworks to children."

The previous owner, Ibrahim Adam, sold the firework to a 15-year-old boy in November 2005 during a test purchase organised by Trading Standards and the police.

It is illegal to sell fireworks to under-18s apart from novelty matches and sparklers, which can be sold to anyone over 16.

Mags and Fags is only allowed to sell fireworks for the weeks around special occasions, including Bonfire Night, New Year's Eve, Dawili and Chinese New Year.

Speaking after the court case, Coun Dave Hollings, executive member for citizens and consumer rights, said: "Every year the council is inundated with complaints arising from the nuisance caused by juveniles misusing fireworks."

Inspector Andrea Bradbury, of Lancashire police, added: "We will not tolerate the sale of fireworks to under 18s and our officers will continue to carry out these test purchasing operations."