REGARDING the call to restrict and control large commercial display fireworks (LET, March 8), in 1988, British Standards were introduced ensuring that fireworks are performance-tested prior to sale to the public and they also put them into four categories which do distinguish the 'back garden' sort from the commercial variety.

They are: Indoor fireworks, such as party poppers and toy gun caps; Garden fireworks, which come in selection boxes and are meant to be viewed from five metres away; Display fireworks, the larger fireworks for semi-public events which require spectators to stand at least 25 metres away and Category 4, ones which are not intended for public sale -- the shells, maroons and other high-powered fireworks which these teenage idiots and stupid children seem to be getting hold of illegally.

By all means tighten up on the illegal sales and use of Category 4 commercial display fireworks, but please don't jeopardise or ban the sales of legitimate indoor/garden/display fireworks to the public.

I certainly agree with trading standards chief Jim Potts on restricting airbombs to large top-of-the-range boxes out of the reach of kids and idiots.

ANTHONY PERKINS, Plantation Street, Accrington.