CHILDREN are to be used to trap unscrupulous retailers who illegally sell fireworks.

And those traders who are caught face fines of up to £2,000.

The young "spies" will also help Bury's overstretched trading standards inspectors enforce tough new laws which ban potentially dangerous fireworks.

The laws, which raise the age that people can buy fireworks from 16 to 18, are being brought in next month in time for Guy Fawkes night.

Officers say they do not have the manpower to check every shop, so will be sending out teams of young undercover agents to help. Before that, though, warning leaflets will be sent to all known retailers of fireworks.

The new laws make permanent earlier emergency legislation which was brought in following the death nationally of two people last year.

The most important change is raising the legal age for purchasing fireworks from 16 to 18.

Certain fireworks will also be banned, including mortars and aerial shells, bangers - like Chinese Crackers - and those with erratic flight, such as squibs and helicopters.

Shopkeepers will not be able to split boxes of fireworks which were meant to be sold as one item.

Mr Alan Freer, borough environmental services officer, said enforcement action had now been given back to trading standards officers: in recent years the police have done the job.

The inspection plan was given unanimous approval at Tuesday's housing and environmental services committee.

Mr Freer confirmed that it would cost the council thousands of pounds testing fireworks. He also expressed concern that some retailers will have bought fireworks from abroad months ago, and have lots of stock on their hands.

Although the law comes into effect next month, the exact date has not yet been announced by the Government.

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