STAFF at a corner shop lit fireworks inside the store and fired them into the street outside, according to a report prepared for the council.

Trading Standards mounted an investigation into Mars a Day on Lumb Lane in Manningham after they received reports of fireworks being sold to youngsters.

Officers listed a catalogue of concerns after making several visits to the shop and Trading Standards is now calling on the council to review the store’s premises licence.

The report said police were called to the shop on five occasions last year. On October 30, officers responded to reports of “the manager and another male” letting off fireworks inside the store, firing them out on to the main road. Police said both men were “heavily in drink”.

On August 10, the report said “the manager of the premises was arrested and admitted the offence of possession of cannabis found at the shop”.

During a sting operation by Trading Standards a 14-year-old visited the store and was sold fireworks, which had been removed from their safety packaging, for £1 each. The member of staff who sold the items said he had learning difficulties and had received no training whatsoever.

Trading Standards documents say: “This represents a serious risk to public safety and harm to children with potentially explosive items being supplied to children.”

But Velli Hassanzadh, the owner of Mars a Day, said the store did not sell fireworks or illegal cigarettes.

Manningham councillor Sarfraz Nazir said it was concerning to hear that a member of staff at the shop had sold fireworks to a a child.

He said: “Obviously it’s dangerous to sell fireworks to children and potentially has dangerous consequences. Hopefully this will be addressed by the licensing committee.

“Fireworks being let off at unsociable hours is a district-wide matter that causes undue concern for many residents.

“Fireworks should be sold to people who are over the age of 18 and not be let off during unsociable hours. It is something the council needs to work on educating people about.”

Councillor Shabir Hussain added: “There’s no way they should be selling fireworks to children.

“We are also sick and tired of people letting off fireworks at night-time and outside people’s homes. Sooner or later this has to stop.”

Trading Standards undertook two further inspections of the shop in November, when officers seized a total of 103 packets of illegal cigarettes which did not have the UK Duty Paid mark and did not comply with tobacco packaging regulations.

The shop was granted a licence to supply alcohol in April 2016 between 9am and 11pm, seven days a week, with the licence holder named as Stephen Hoskin. The report says the police are “concerned regarding his management and subsequent involvement in the running of the premises.”

Under the terms of the licence, staff must be properly trained, CCTV must be installed, the prevention of crime and disorder should be promoted and children should be protected from harm. Inspectors said there was no CCTV at the shop.

The Trading Standards application says: “The store has a history showing blatant disregard for the law and recent events show it has made no attempt to amend its ways.

“The supply of illegal tobacco causes genuine businesses to lose income which in turn affects the local economy as genuine businesses pay rent, rates, employ local people and buy products and services from other local businesses.”

West Yorkshire Police have asked the licensing committee to revoke the premises licence. West Yorkshire Trading Standards also said they were concerned that the shop was not operating legally and have asked members to revoke the licence.

The licensing panel meets at City Hall on Wednesday.