VETERAN Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman is calling on bonfires to be BANNED - because of climate change.

Mr Sheerman, 66, is urging the public not to light bonfires in their gardens for the traditional November 5 celebrations tomorrow because of the toxins and pollutants they release.

Bonfire Night is a "cataclysmic disaster" for the environment, he said.

The MP also said it was unfair to Catholics to put a Guy on top of the fire.

The Guys represents Guy Fawkes, who was caught under the Houses of Parliament on November 5, 1605.

He and other conspirators were planning to blow it up as part of the fight against Catholic repression.

People lit bonfires to celebrate that the king, James I, was unharmed.

Until 1959 it was illegal NOT to celebrate Guy Fawkes' arrest.

Mr Sheerman says that following Monday's publication of the Stern Report, which talked about impending global warming problems, more should be done to counteract climate change.

He added: "I know Bonfire Night is an enjoyable occasion, but I think it's something we should steadily change to something rather different.

"We should all try to cut down on bonfires.

"Ideally, we would stop having any bonfires on November 5.

"People should go to community ones, rather than have individual ones."

Mr Sheerman said November 5 created massive amounts of pollution, from items such as painted wood being burnt.

He added: "More toxins go into the atmosphere than from industry in the rest of the year."

Mr Sheerman said he realised that a total ban was impractical, but action was vital.

He also took a swipe at the tradition of putting a Guy on top of the fire.

He added: "It's a little bit uncivilised to every year burn a Catholic on a bonfire."

Mr Sheerman said he wanted to see just fireworks on Bonfire Night.

Meanwhile, a Government spokesman said the impact of bonfires on global warming was negligible.

The increase in smoke affected local air quality and could have health effects for those suffering lung conditions, he said.

The National Society for Clean Air said carbon monoxide, dioxins and particles were released into the atmosphere by bonfires, adding to background air pollution.