FIRE chiefs in Lancashire have urged the public to stay safe as Bonfire Night approaches.

Peter Holland, chief fire officer with the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Services, said Bonfire Night is always a busy night for his crews -- and those of other emergency services.

And this time last year Burnley teenager Paul Ridge, 18, was killed by a firework -- the first death caused by a firework in this country for five years.

Mr Holland said: "Bonfire Night is traditionally a busy evening for us and last year was no exception, in spite of heavy rain, with 112 bonfires to extinguish that had got out of control.

"This was preceded by a month-long spate of 357 similar fires throughout Lancashire. Even in the weeks afterwards we had to attend another 18 such incidents."

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has compiled a list of safety tips to ensure danger is kept to an absolute minimum.

These include:

Buy fireworks that meet British Standard 7114 and keep them in a closed box.

Read the instructions on the firework and do what they say

Attend properly organised bonfires and firework displays

Don't use petrol, paraffin or white spirit to light bonfires.