SIX thousand locals have signed the national fireworks petition handed to PM Tony Blair on Wednesday.

Collected for Wigan borough MPs Andy Burnham, Ian McCartney and Neil Turner it calls for key reforms to existing laws. Public displays would have to be controlled by licenced pyrotechnicians, fireworks would be on sale only at certyain periods of the year and strictly from licenced vendors.

Leigh MP Mr Burnham said: "I'm not against people enjoying fireworks but things are getting out of hand. This is effecting the quality of life of people and I know as the parent of young children the problems caused by loud fireworks going off late at night."