FOUR shopkeepers in Kirklees face prosecution for selling fireworks to children.

Teams of children and trading standards officers visited premises across West Yorkshire as part of the annual crackdown during the firework season.

A report to the West Yorkshire Joint Services Committee - which runs trading standards - gives the latest information on this year's campaign.

It found four Kirklees shopkeepers making illegal sales, with 10 throughout the county allegedly breaking the law.

More than 100 premises throughout West Yorkshire were visited and children made 109 attempted purchases.

The Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997 prohibit the sale of fireworks to children under 18.

They also require fireworks to comply with British Standards and prohibit the supply of aerial shells, jumping crackers, min-rockets, Chinese crackers and bangers.

The report adds that West Yorkshire Trading Standards received 126 complaints from the public regarding underage sales, anti-social behaviour and illegal markets.

The first complaint was received on July 29 - 11 weeks before the "official" date when fireworks should go on sale.

A voluntary code of practice between the firework industry and the Department of Trade and Industry restricts the sale of fireworks for the Bonfire Night period to three week before November 5 and several days afterwards.

The report also praises the work of the Kirklees Neighbourhood Warden Scheme as part of this year's campaign, with wardens providing information about the illegal sale of fireworks and other age-restricted products, as well as anti-social behaviour.

Areas covered as part of this year's campaign included Almondbury, Primrose Hill, Scholes at Cleckheaton, Mirfield, Golcar, Cowlersley, Birstall, Lowerhouses and Ashenhurst.

The report concludes that the number of complaints received by the county's trading standards clearly shows people's concerns during the firework season.

The campaign overall aims to reduce the number of underage sales and incidents of anti-social behaviour.

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