UNOFFICIAL bonfire-builders are playing with fire, local authority chiefs are warning.

The advice comes as police vow to get tough on people who build unsafe bonfires and organise unofficial firework displays.

Under Operation Cascade officers have joined forces with a number of local organisations to clamp down on November 5 trouble-makers.

The joint initiative is in partnership with South Ribble Borough Council, the fire safety department and Trading Standards, in a bid to reduce problems and injuries.

Council chiefs are warning people not to build bonfires on council-owned land and say they will remove any would-be 'dangerous' fires before the big night.

While the council insist they are not going on a 'bonfire hunt' they say they will dismantle bonfires built near property or including of materials likely to cause problems.

They will be acting on calls made to the police and fire departments in a bid to slash the number of bonfire and firework incidents on council-owned land.

A council spokesman said: "The council does not and never has agreed to bonfires on its land."

Council chiefs are urging people to attend one of the borough's organised events in Worden Park, Leyland, and in Hurst Grange Park, Penwortham.

For their part the police say their patrols are out and about checking that retailers do not sell fireworks to people under the age of 18.

Operation Cascade is urging people who see such bonfires being built to call the fire safety department on 01772 334911 and to call Trading Standards on 01772 262145, if they suspect fireworks are being sold to anyone under 18.

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