POLICE in east Durham have warned they will take firm action against anyone misusing fireworks in the run-up to Bonfire Night.

With November 5 only a few weeks away, emergency services and council agencies are already preparing for the expected spate of calls from worried and angry members of the public.

Mounting complaints over explosives being used long before Guy Fawkes' Night have this year prompted the police, fire brigade, Durham County Council's trading standards department and Easington District Council to draw up a set of measures aimed at curbing the problem.

Any hotspot areas will be targeted by patrols of police officers and Easington's environmental wardens.

Retailers are also being issued with reminders of their legal obligations and residents will be urged to ring trading standards officers on 0191-383 3589 if they want to report anyone selling fireworks to under-18s.

School visits by police and fire brigade teams will concentrate on warning children not to play with fireworks and magistrates are being asked to consider issuing stiff penalties to offenders in an attempt to deter others.

Last year, several people in the Easington police area were prosecuted for setting off fireworks in the street. Each was fined £105.

Over the past few days, six individuals have been caught in Peterlee town centre and dealt with for similar offences.

Sergeant Dave Young, of the Easington Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, said: "We get hundreds of complaints each year about fireworks being let off in the street.

"It is something which causes alarm and distress to both people and animals. The laws are very clear and anyone setting off bangers, rockets or any other type of device in a public place will be dealt with accordingly.''

"If we receive information which points to a particular spot, we will step up patrols in the area, as will the council's street wardens.''

Residents with concerns about illegal bonfires being set up can contact Easington council's "Envirocall'' on 0191-527 5040.