HYNDBURN MP Greg Pope is to campaign for tighter regulations on the sale and use of fireworks which he hopes will come into effect before November 5 next year.

Earlier this month Chief Superintendent John Thompson, the divisional commander for Eastern Division, also called for tighter legislation on the sale of fireworks and for newsagents to stop selling them altogether. He said people should confine their fun to organised displays.

Mr Pope is looking for a compromise and will table a parliamentary question to the Department of Trade and Industry this week to see what specific steps can be taken. He said: "Something must be done. People's lives have been made a misery for well over a month and it has been worse than ever this year

"I understand why people want a complete ban on the sale of them but what the Government has to do is find a balance. No-one wants to be a kill-joy as it is an important part of history and tradition but people do have a right to live in peace.

"We need to look at restricting the sale of fireworks, especially in street corner shops which can sell high explosives to young people. As well as being a nuisance, there is always some youngster who gets injured so restrictions need to be much tighter."

Huncoat ward councillor Steve Walsh approached Mr Pope last month after residents were left terrified when a commercial firework caused a series of explosions in the early hours.

The device which was set off outside bungalows inhabited by elderly residents in Station Road was slightly smaller than a shoebox and the noise and flashes of light woke residents throughout the village.

Coun Walsh said: "That was clearly inappropriate use of fireworks and ultimately I would like to see all shops in Hyndburn banned from selling them."

Other recent incidents include a phone box in Queens Road West, Accrington, blown up; the roof of a pavilion in Milnshaw Park, Accrington, blown off; the destruction of two cars in Accrington by fireworks within 30 minutes of each other; and the destruction of a car, phone box and takeaway in Accrington by firework hooligans.

Mr Thompson, whose division includes Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, said officers had been called out to deal with 32 incidents involving fireworks in the week-end leading up to Bonfire Night.

He said: "There is no logic in selling explosives over the counter at a corner shop. I am very supportive of the tradition and very supportive of organised firework displays but there is no sense in selling what amounts to explosives to anybodywho asks for them.

"I am not calling for a total ban but a review of the legislation of selling fireworks, which is inadequate and out of date. Fireworks are dangerous in the wrong hands and can cause serious injuries, even fatalities."