Bradford was named as one of Britain's worst firework accident hotspots in a Government campaign unveiled today to reduce the injury toll.

Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust had the highest number of recorded accidents caused by fireworks last year in the Northern and Yorkshire region. Only Liverpool hospitals dealt with more firework injuries.

Last year 26 people injured by fireworks were treated at Bradford Royal Infirmary, of which 18 were children. Hooligans were responsible for 16 of these injuries.

In one incident in October last year a 35-year-old woman was nearly blinded when a thug posted a firework through her letterbox.

Angela Hussey, of Buttershaw, was hit between the eyes by the letterbox's internal metal flap which flew off when the firework exploded. She was left with two black eyes and needed three stitches.

At Airedale NHS Trust five people were treated in the hospital's A&E department for firework injuries. Four of these were children and one was caused by a hooligan.

There were 219 injuries in the Yorkshire region with the number of accidents involving young teenagers rising by more than 50 per cent, the biggest increase in seven years.

Now it is hoped hard-hitting new measures announced by Consumer Minister Melanie Johnson will help reduce these numbers.

Measures include a ban on air bombs, fixed penalty notices of up to £40 for over 18s caught throwing fireworks in the street, a crackdown on illegal markets in fireworks, with improved co-ordination of intelligence between Customs and Excise, Health and Safety Executive and Trading Standards.

Councils will also be encouraged to use their powers to curb the problem of noise and nuisance caused by fireworks.

Bradford, along with Leeds and Sheffield, will be bombarded with posters and adverts on TV bearing the slogan 'fool with fireworks and bang goes your image', which is designed to highlight the injuries teenagers have suffered from fireworks misuse.

The campaign is being backed by Bradford A&E consultant, Tony Shenton, who said: "There were two serious injuries last year. The majority were minor, but all firework injuries have the potential to be very serious.

"Teenagers are the most at risk group as they are tempted to go out and buy fireworks and set them off.

"We think that fireworks should only be set off in organised public displays, but if you are going to set fireworks off at home, it should be done by an adult who is not under the influence of alcohol. You need to be very careful and follow the instructions on the box and never return to a lit firework.''