POLICE and fire chiefs have launched a two-pronged safety campaign in Bolton in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

They are going into schools to warn pupils about the dangers of fireworks and they are warning shopkeepers not to sell them to children.

The campaign is aimed at reducing the number of firework injuries and stopping the illegal sale of fireworks.

In the run-up to November 5, community beat officers will work with the Greater Manchester Fire Service to warn pupils about the dangers of misusing fireworks.

Police officers and trading standards officers will also visit shopkeepers to remind them of the severe penalities if they sell fireworks to anybody under the age of 18.

On November 5, police patrols will visit all organised bonfires in Bolton and target areas where unofficial ones and fireworks are causing a nuisance.

Inspector Tony Kenyon said: "We will not tolerate activities involving the misuse of fireworks.

"We are doing everything in our power to stop anti-social behaviour in the run-up to and on Bonfire Night so that people can go to planned events and enjoy themselves."

Greater Manchester chief fire officer Barry Dixon said: "All fireworks should be handled with care and their use should be confined to supervised displays."

Shopkeepers have been given a poster to display in their windows to signify that the store is a recognised outlet for selling fireworks. Police are also asking traders to only sell fireworks until November 6.

Sgt Shane O'Neill said: "It's not legally enforceable, but it's an agreement. Hopefully, it will stop traders from selling weeks before and after Bonfire Night."

Trading standards chiefs will also carry out test purchases at shops by sending children into selected shops to buy fireworks. Traders selling fireworks illegally face hefty fines or even prison. Daryl Wilson, the council's principal trading standards officer, said: "We want to minimise the nuisance of children throwing fireworks and letting them off late at night."

If traders sell to under 18-year-olds, police say they will prosecute them. For a full list of fire service guidelines for using fireworks and bonfires, log on to www.manchesterfire.gov.uk.