LANCASHIRE'S deputy chief fire officer yesterday called for a ban on the sale of fireworks to the public.

Justin Johnston believes the move would cut the annual toll of injuries caused by youths letting off the explosives in the street and back-garden accidents.

Two weeks before Bonfire Night, Mr Johnston said firework sales should be restricted to the organisers of professional displays.

He has been backed by Cllr Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Council's environment boss, borough Chief Inspector Abid Khan, and Colne's PC Nigel Keates, a police wildlife officer.

Mr Johnston said: "I would ban the sale of fireworks to the public because of the anti-social behaviour, accidents and injuries they cause.

"We in the fire service see this every year. They are getting more and more powerful and louder and louder.

"Firework should be restricted to organised public displays.

"It's not just Bonfire night now but more and more occasions and the noise causes distress to animals and many people.

"I would also like to move to silent firework displays as many in cities abroad.

"This is a personal l view. I don't expect it to happen overnight but I want to start the conversation."

Chief Inspector Khan said: "I would ban the sale of fireworks to the public and restrict them to people with a specific licence for professional displays.

"As we have seen in Blackburn, youths buy them and throw them on the floor or fire them at each other. They are getting more powerful and can cause horrific injuries."

Cllr Smith said: "Initially I would like tighter controls on firework sales leading to a ban on their public sale."

PC Keates said: "I support a ban on selling fireworks to the public. Many years ago when worked in Duke Bar on Burnley a child was killed by a firework accident."

Greater Manchester's chief constable Ian Hopkins has backed ban saying some young people use them to 'terrorise' communities.