NEW legislation covering the sale and use of fireworks seems to have worked - with November 5 being hailed as one of the safest Bonfire Nights in history.

Full figures of firework incidents will not be released for another week, but the Citizen understands they will show a big reduction in damage and injuries during the week leading up to Bonfire Night and throughout last weekend.

The Lancashire police arson reduction unit will report a big drop in firework-connected incidents, while fire and ambulance services were also quieter than normal at the weekend.

The new fireworks regulations mean it is now an offence for anyone under 18 to be in possession of fireworks and have also tightened up the sale of rockets and bangers.

It is now an offence to set fireworks off after 11pm and the get-tough rules appear to have worked, say police.

In Lancaster and Morecambe, fire brigade bosses reported a quieter than usual bonfire night, while a police operation also saw a reduction of Mischief Night incidents.

Lancaster City Council also dismantled any bonfires built anything more than two days before November 5.

"We had several minor incidents but it did seem quieter than normal and as far as I am aware there was nothing major at all," says Sergeant Mike Hesketh of Lancaster police.

"We hope this will become the trend and it is fair to say the legislation seemed to work. We also had an operation and that often quietens things down."

o WHAT do you think? Was Bonfire Night quiet where you live? Write to Citizen Letters or e-mail matt.donlan@lancaster.newsquest.co.uk