A 'BE SAFE' plea has been issued to people across Keighley as Bonfire Night approaches.

And town traders who sell fireworks are being warned of their legal responsibilities.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service is carrying out inspections to check retailers are complying with safety legislation and not selling fireworks to under-18s.

Head of the service, David Lodge, said: "As with any legislation, it is necessary for everyone to be compliant.

"Trading Standards can provide information to retailers regarding the safety requirements of fireworks.

"As with any age-restricted product, we provide advice on best practice to ensure businesses are doing all they can to prevent under-age sales."

Councillor Val Slater – deputy chairman of the West Yorkshire joint services committee, which oversees the work of Trading Standards – said it was important that shopkeepers had procedures in place to ensure they didn't break the law.

She added: "Although fireworks can be fun, any that do not meet safety requirements or are used incorrectly can cause a great deal of harm.

"The law is designed to ensure safe fireworks are supplied and their sale is age-restricted in order to protect children."

As well as sales being restricted, it is also illegal for under-18s to carry fireworks in public.

Plus it is an offence to set-off fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on Bonfire Night, Diwali, New Year and the Chinese New Year.

Anyone selling or using fireworks illegally could be fined up to £5,000 and jailed for six months.

Trading Standards has issued advice for people to stay safe over the Bonfire Night period.

It includes keep fireworks in a closed box and follow the instructions on each firework, light them at arm's length using a taper, stand well back and never return to a lit firework, wear gloves when lighting sparklers, never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire, have a full bucket of water handy for any emergency and for putting used sparklers into, and ensure the bonfire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

Mr Lodge added: "As well as being a time for enjoyment and celebration, the firework season can often encourage incidents of anti-social behaviour which may cause concern and in extreme cases fear for vulnerable individuals.

"It is important that Bonfire Night and the fireworks season in general is celebrated safely."

Anyone with concerns about unsafe fireworks, or young people in their neighbourhood being sold fireworks, should contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 03454 040506.