A BOLTON MP has supported a move which he hopes will end the tragedy and suffering caused by fireworks. Dr Brian Iddon wants to see the introduction of new regulations to reduce the number of accidents and has co-sponsored an Early Day Motion in Parliament.

The Bolton South East MP was joined by 55 other colleagues in supporting the move, tabled by Phil Willis MP, which says that existing laws have failed to stop "idiots" getting their hands on the potential killers and suggests all retailers who sell fireworks should be licensed.

Dr Iddon has campaigned for many years to improve the regulations governing the storing and selling of fireworks and the training of people who run organised displays.

Campaign

In 1998, he also participated in a debate on Linda Gilroy's MP Fireworks Bill, which ran out of time in Parliament and was never made law.

He also supported the BEN's campaign two years ago to try and prevent more people being hurt by the explosives.

His support follows a number of incidents in Bolton over the years.

In November last year, 12-year-old Andrew Worden, of Victory Road, Little Lever, needed microsurgery when a firework, possibly left over from a display, exploded in his hand.

The army was called to Devonshire Road, Atherton, in April last year when a garden shed, packed with powerful fireworks, set alight.

The new motion states: "This House notes with increasing concern the failure of existing regulations to control the use of fireworks and calls on the Government to review the Explosives Act 1875."

It goes on to say that new legislation should ensure the register of manufacturers, ban the use of non-registered fireworks, license all premises both wholesale and retail where fireworks are to be stored, require any individual or association organising a firework display to possess a certificate and empower local authorities to restrict the use of fireworks to an agreed period in the calendar year.