Darlington Borough Council will again call on Guy Fawkes and Dennis the Menace this year to preach a fireworks safety message to youngsters.

The duo are part of the council's fireworks safety team, which visits schools before the annual bonfire night event at Darlington's South Park.

This year more than 4,500 pupils at 21 schools will receive talks about the dangers of fireworks.

The talks include information on the firework safety code and how to prevent an accident happening.

Youngsters can also ask council staff any questions about fireworks and bonfires.

Darlington council says the talks are intended to be fun and informative. They include a crossword and quiz.

Terry Collins, the council's leisure services manager, said: "These talks are a fundamental part of the event which takes place at South Park, and once again the number of schools we visit has grown."

Mr Collins said that firework- related accidents in Darlington were going down each year, thanks in part to the council initiative.

This year, the Century FM Fireworks 2000 event takes place on November 4. It is expected to attract tens of thousands of people from all over the region.