FRIENDS pleaded with teenager Paul Ridge not to return to the large Chinese-made firework which killed him, an inquest heard.

The tube-launched explosive, which should have soared 500ft into the air, failed to ignite on land at Duke Bar, Burnley, when 18-year-old Paul tried to light it around 1am on October 18, the hearing was told.

He agreed to not to return, but minutes later they heard a bang and sparks lit up nearby Colne Road.

Paul, of Pembroke Street, was found dead with massive head wounds on the land near the Duke of York pub, by a man walking his dog two hours later.

Home Office pathologist Dr William Lawlor, who carried out the post mortem examination, said there was no doubt Paul died from a blast injury and there was nothing to suggest any other person was involved.

Dr Lawlor said Paul, who had consumed little drink and no drugs, was still clutching a lighter in his right hand.

The Inquest heard of events leading up to the death of the teenager, who earlier in the evening had been with his mother to see Burnley's 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Turf Moor.

Duke of York licensee Marie Coulston said she returned to the pub after a night out and Paul was one of a group talking about fireworks. Her partner Stephen Brown said around two weeks earlier a man with a van who he had never seen before or since and known only as John, had come to the pub offering to sell fireworks. He bought a quantity and was also given two of the onion-shaped explosives.

On the fatal evening, friend Stephen Baker had produced the launch tube made of plastic drainpipe and Mr Brown and customer Roger Idden took one of the fireworks to open land and successfully fired it, the inquest heard.

Mr Brown said after Marie's return it was suggested they should light the second firework but as Paul dug the hole for the launch tube, a police car came around the corner "and everyone scarpered."

Sean McParland, of Colne Road, whose home overlooks the Duke of York, said Paul and Roger Idden came to his house after 12.30am. "They were laughing and joking and said they had been chased by police after trying to set off a firework.

"Paul said he was going back to get it and her returned with the firework and drainpipe."

Mr McParland said his girlfriend Julie Sutcliffe went with Paul and Roger to lignite it but returned five minutes later and said it had not gone off. He and Julie had told Paul not to go back to it and he agreed he wouldn't, said Mr McParland. Julie told the inquest that about five minutes after Paul and Roger had left, she heard a loud bang and saw showers of sparks over Colne Road.

Roger Idden, of Robinson Street said Paul lit the 2ft 6in wick in drizzling conditions and it failed to ignite. "I said leave it. It is dangerous. It is getting late -- just leave it. I am going home."

Mr Idden said he heard a large bang as he approached his home. I definitely was not there when the firework went off," he told coroner David Smith.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Smith described the events as "a terrible tragedy."

Picture: the scene of the tragedy and (inset) Paul.