REVELLERS were today warned that they could risk serious injury if they fail to play safe during the millennium bonfire celebrations.

Fireworks are expected to be the highlight of scores of end-of-year parties in East Lancashire.

Research by the fire service has shown that 90 per cent of bonfire parties in November included alcohol - a figure likely to be repeated on New Year's Eve.

Professor John Ashton, regional director of public health for the NHS Executive in the North West, said the mixture of fireworks and alcohol could be a deadly combination.

He said: "I am sure that many people are including fireworks in their millennium celebrations and we do not want to spoil their fun.

"But we would ask anyone responsible for lighting fireworks on December 31 not to drink. Alcohol impairs your judgment and if you fail to concentrate on what you are doing, you could be at risk of serious injury."

The most common injuries are those to the hands and face caused by people throwing fireworks.

Children account for the majority of burns cases each year but adults under the influence of alcohol are equally at risk.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.