I RECENTLY wrote to Home Secretary David Blunkett about the nuisance caused by fireworks and the way Bonfire Night goes on for ever.

I was sent a fact sheet which stated that throwing or setting off fireworks in any highway, street, thoroughfare or public place, is an offence under Section 80 of the Explosives Act 1875.

Anyone found guilty is liable to a fine of up to £5,000 and it is the duty of the police to enforce this law. So why aren't they?

Fireworks are going off all over the place. It is no good the police wanting the sale of fireworks to the public to be banned, if they are not going to enforce the law.

The fact sheet also said that fireworks should only be sold three weeks before November 5 and for a few days after. We all know this does not happen.

We also know that some shopkeepers break the law by selling fireworks to people under 18. This carries a fine of £5,000, or six months in prison or both.

It is time the local Trading Standards office published a list of these rogue shopkeepers and the fines imposed on them.

And as an afterthought, what happened to the breach of the peace law -- when we are all suffering night after night with explosion after explosion?

H HAMER, Lowther Place, Blackburn.