CHILDREN will be used to catch shopkeepers selling fireworks to under-18s in the run up to Bonfire Night.

Trading Standards officers on Wearside will send teenagers into shops to buy fireworks, to ensure retailers stick to laws regarding their sale.

Officials will also visit businesses to make sure owners are aware of regulations in the run-up to November 5.

Police and Trading Standards officers seized more than 450 fireworks, worth more than £300, in a raid on a house in the Sulgrave area of Washington, on Wednesday afternoon.

Among the haul were 270 bangers, which have been known to cause serious injury, and are illegal in Britain.

Officers swooped following complaints from residents and schools that children had been seen with fireworks. There were no arrests and inquiries are continuing.

Tom Terret, Sunderland City's trading standards officer, said: "Bangers are unlawful and are prohibited from sale to children or adults.

"They do cause a nuisance and there have been cases where people have been injured, which is why we are concerned they could end up in the hands of children. People need to be 18 to buy fireworks and generally they should only be used by responsible adults.

"We will be routinely visiting premises selling fireworks and also what we plan to do is use child volunteers to see if retailers are prepared to sell fireworks to children."

Speaking about the raid, PC Wendy Scott, of Washington police, said: "We will continue to work with trading standards to ensure public safety during the run-up to Bonfire Night.