PRESTON and Leyland police are out in force again, backing authorities in their areas, in a bid to prevent injury on Bonfire Night.

Preston police has teamed up with Preston Trading Standards in an effort -- called Operation Dynamite -- to educate the public to the dangers of fireworks.

The operation will include high visibility policing in many areas of the town and will target children with fireworks and get the message across to parents.

Police constable Michelle Skinley of Preston police, said: "We are appealing to parents to talk to their children and we would like grandparents to talk to their grandchildren.

"I don't want to have to visit them to tell them their children are responsible for injuring someone through throwing a firework or they have been burned."

Along with Trading Standards, police will be checking shops have licences and adequate storage facilities for fireworks.

A similar strategy is being operated by police in Leyland. For the third year running officers have organised Operation Cascade under the wing of officer PC Alistair McMiken of Leyland police.

PC McMiken said: "We are monitoring this and patrolling South Ribble every evening to deal with firework nuisances and monitoring the sale of fireworks.

"Any youngsters found in possession of fireworks in public places will have them confiscated and their parents will be informed -- those found throwing fireworks could find themselves in court.

"Information has gone to schools outlining the dangers of fireworks and we are looking at reinforcing this message throughout Leyland.

"For three years there has been a significant reduction in firework or bonfire related incidents. We want to maintain that, or not see any increase."

Each year Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service chiefs say they are called to put out fires in residential areas because waste materials can give off toxic fumes or may explode when they become too hot, causing damage to homes and businesses.

South Ribble Council bosses say they do not allow bonfires without consent, so potentially dangerous pyres are removed.

The council hosts bonfires on its park each year in partnership with other organisations and asks that local residents attend these events.

On Monday, November 5, there will be a bonfire and firework display on Leyland's Worden Park at 6pm and a firework display on Penwortham Hall Park, Marshall's Brow, at 7.30pm.

There will also be an event at the Preston Grasshoppers ground, Garstang Road, Preston, at 6.30pm.