A MAJOR operation has been launched in Preston and South Ribble in a bid to reduce nuisance and injuries in the run up to Bonfire Night.

The operation, code named Douse in Preston and Cascade in South Ribble, is being carried out by the police in partnership with the respective councils, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service and Trading Standards.

Under new legislation that came into force in August it is illegal to use fireworks between 11pm and 7am.

The exceptions to the curfew are Chinese New Year, Diwali, and New Year's Eve when fireworks can be used until 1am and on Bonfire Night when they can be used until midnight.

Police can now hand out £80 on-the-spot fines to people using fireworks within the prohibited hours and to yobs throwing fireworks or causing a nuisance.

It is also now illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in a public place.

In Preston the operation will see three dedicated police cars patrolling the streets in the evenings, until November 12, to catch people breaking the new laws.

Inspector Karen Simister, of Preston police, who is heading the operation, said: "We are not trying to spoil people's fun, but want to make sure that fireworks are used safely.

"I have seen horrific pictures of injuries that fireworks have caused, and that's what we want to prevent."

She said officers warned that bonfires built before November 5 would be dismantled by council workers.

Trading Standards officers will also be doing their part by carrying out test purchasing in shops to make sure rogue traders are not selling to youngsters.

And firefighters are visiting schools to warn children of the dangers of playing with fire.

The approach aims to improve on the success of last year's operation which saw a 19 percent reduction in fire related instances and a reduction of eight percent in nuisance complaints.