BONFIRES could be banned for the first time in an area of Blackburn because firebugs have made life a misery for residents and attacked firefighters.

And if the pilot zero-tolerance scheme before and after November 5 in Higher Audley and proves successful it may be extended to other areas of town in future.

An area around Walter Street, Lambeth Street, Pringle Street and Queen's Park Road, which contains 450 homes, is proposed as the bonfire-free zone from early October to several weeks after Guy Fawkes' night.

Community beat managers would be responsible for enforcing the ban on their patrols. If they spot a bonfire they will alert Blackburn with Darwen's environmental health department, which can order its removal.

Officers from the council's direct services department would then go and dismantle the bonfire. Alternatively, firefighters will be allowed to dowse the flames to put it out.

Signs may be placed in the area to point out the ban.

The extreme action is seen as the only solution to end the problems which plagued the area last year.

Throughout October and November, the fire service was regularly called to tackle abandoned bonfires in Higher Audley that were growing out of control and putting other people at risk.

And sometimes firefighters had fireworks thrown at them as they tackled the blazes.

Shopkeepers in the area were even said to have provided rubbish for children to burn on bonfires.

Residents complained and Blackburn with Darwen's bonfire working group, made up of the police, fire service, Trading Standards and the council, came up with the ban proposal.

The group has outlined the plans in a letter to residents who have until September 30 to respond with their views, after which a decision will be made whether to enforce the zero-tolerance strategy.

According to Phil Whittaker, station officer at Blackburn fire station's community safety team, feedback so far has shown that most residents are in favour of the ban.

He said: "We are trying to encourage people not to have their own bonfires and go to the organised event at Witton Park.

"Every year we are called to a lot of bonfires in that part of Higher Audley and a lot of fireworks are thrown at us there.

"If they are doing that to us, it is plain to see they are getting on residents' nerves. It is one of our worst areas.

"The zero tolerance will be hard to enforce, but the council will try to make sure there is not a build up of rubbish in the area and the police will try to catch people on their patrols.

"It is possible this 'zero-tolerance' scheme could be extended in the future, but we will have to see how it goes if we try it out in Higher Audley."

Mohammed Khan, chairman of the Audley Community Association, said he was unconvinced that a ban was the right step and added: "There will be a few people upset because having a bonfire is tradition. It will be difficult for them to accept a ban.

"Last year there were a lot of problems in the area. Bonfires were lit here, there and everywhere. People lit them and then left them.

"We discussed this problem but nothing was done, as no one came up with a solution. When something like this happens, the first thing people suggest is a ban.

"But I am not sure how this would be enforced. The problems around bonfire night are something we are used to."