A BRADFORD councillor has welcomed Sainsbury's decision to halt all sales of fireworks in its stores and has urged other supermarkets to follow suit.

The chain revealed through a response on Twitter that none of its 2,300 stores across the country will sell any kind of rocket ahead of Bonfire Night.

This was also confirmed by a local resident who messaged the company on Facebook.

The ban on sales includes the big Sainsbury's store off Harrogate Road, in Greengates.

Councillor Brendan Stubbs (Lib Dem, Eccleshill) has applauded the decision, after condemning a firework attack in Eccleshill Park at the end of last month, where a youth had one explode in his face.

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He said: "I think it's a good thing really.

"It should not be easy to get hold of them and it's too easy for young people to get hold of fireworks, or young adults to go in and get them for others.

"Having them less widely available has got to help.

"Some other supermarkets could do with following them.

"I know for a fact that Asda is still selling them.

"Why do supermarkets need to sell fireworks? It's not essential for them. Leave it to the specialists to sell."

Campaign group Better4Bradford - which put out a petition and protested against the "menace" of fireworks - has also supported Sainsbury's decision.

Founder Inayah Sher said: "We endorse the viewpoint that fireworks have a traumatic effect on pets, and the elderly in particular.

"We all know that they disturb everyone no matter what time of the day they are being ignited.

"I can't imagine how much of a disturbing impact the fireworks have on the elderly and innocent pets. At times with the constant sound of explosive fireworks, living in Bradford is like living in Beirut."

But others are sceptical at the move.

Wayne Hart, 35, of Eccleshill said: "With all the pop up shops that spring up around this time of year I don't really think it will make much of a difference.

"They are over priced at big stores like Sainsbury's anyhow.

"You get much more for your money at these pop up shops and they are usually better fireworks."

Mr Hart saw a firework fly into his business unit, as part of the same incident where the youth had one explode near his face.

He believes there are better ways to prevent anti-social behaviour with the explosives and doesn't think those who are responsible should be punished.

He said: "Why ban the sale of them in the first place? It's a long standing tradition that the British celebrate Bonfire Night, they are only shooting themselves in the foot.

"If its to do with them getting in the wrong hands like the recent events down at my unit, I believe the parents of any child caught using fireworks in a dangerous manner should be prosecuted."