A COUNCILLOR has joined forces with the police in an effort to stamp out the menace of pre-Bonfire Night fireworks.

Chester-le-Street District Councillor Jackie Proud is working with PC Jayne Goodfellow, from Chester-le-Street police, after complaints from people worried about fireworks being let off in public areas before November 5.

They are also trying to clamp down on fireworks being sold illegally, after reports of sales from car boots in pub car parks.

Coun Proud said: "I've had people approaching me, especially the elderly and people with pets, who are worried about all the fireworks going off. People can make sure their pets are safe indoors on November 5, but you can't do that for three weeks beforehand.

"The other night I walked through Chester-le-Street from Picktree to North Lodge and there seemed to be fireworks going off all over the place."

Coun Proud said they were not targeting people who bought a few fireworks to celebrate a birthday, for example.

She said: "It's really fireworks sold out of boots of cars that seem to be causing the problems."

Anyone with complaints relating to retailers selling fireworks to underage children or of illegal fireworks can call Durham County Council's Trading Standards' firework inquiry line on 0191-383 3585.

To report fireworks being set off in the street call Chester-le-Street police on 0191-388 4311.