A former Oakenshaw pub owner has been found guilty of failing to take adequate safety precautions after two people were injured by a rogue firework at a Bonfire Night display.

Two spectators had to be taken to hospital to be treated for burns after blue balls of flame from an air bomb repeater flew into the crowd at an event at the Salthorn pub.

Anthony Lumb, who ran the pub when the accident happened on November 5, 1999, was fined £1,000 with £1,000 costs by Bingley Magistrates.

The court heard how the firework fell over after it was lit and rocketed across the opposite side of Cleckheaton Road into the crowd at the front of the pub, where it exploded.

Andrew Parkin, who was enjoying the display with his family, and another spectator Lisa Wilson both suffered burns to their legs and were taken to Dewsbury Hospital.

Prosecuting for Bradford Council, Richard Winter said there was an inadequate safety zone between the car park where the fireworks were being set off and where spectators were standing. He said people on the road could also have been at risk.

Mr Winter added that Lumb, of Wakefield Road, Drighlington, had not asked advice from the Health and Safety Executive or Bradford Council before holding his display which was attended by around 70 people.

"You are responsible for making sure the people at the public house and bonfire are safe," he said.

"You didn't take into account that there was a public highway right through the middle of the bonfire and firework display."

Mr Lumb said he had followed instructions on the back of the firework to the letter and had ten years' experience of holding such events.

"The reason for the accident is that the firework was faulty," he said. "Obviously it must have been or it wouldn't have discharged as it did. But I am not an expert in fireworks.

"There was nothing I could do whatsoever. It all happened in a split second. If I had gone back to it, I would probably have endangered my own life."

Lumb, who still runs a pub and wine bar in Bingley, a pub in Morley and a night club in Shipley, told the court he had immediately been to see Mr Parkin and asked if he wanted an ambulance, but he had refused.

He said he didn't know both injured people had later gone to hospital and he was cleared of a charge of failing to notify Bradford Council that people were hurt during the display.

Magistrates found Lumb guilty on a charge of failing to ensure the safety of spectators at a firework display, saying anyone passing on Cleckheaton Road was a potential spectator and the measurements did not fall within health and safety guidelines.

They decided there was an inadequate means of communication between Lumb, who was setting the fireworks off, and the four members of staff who were marshalling the event.

Also, a first-aid post was not visible.